Source: Ernest K. Arhinful

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has successfully retained the Ejisu parliamentary seat, with its candidate, Lawyer Kwabena Boateng, polling 27,782 votes representing 55.79% in Tuesday’s by-election.

His closest contender, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, a former Member of Parliament for the Ejisu Constituency who ran as an independent candidate, secured 21,536 votes representing 43.24%.

Esther Osei of the CPP had 89 votes (0.2%); Beatrice Boakye of the LPG polled 149 votes (0.3%); Gabriel Agyemang Joseph, an independent candidate, garnered 222 votes (0.4%), while Attakorah Joseph, also an independent candidate, gained 23 votes (0.05%). Total turnout was 49.1%.

During the election, there were allegations of vote-buying levelled against the NPP by Mr. Aduomi.

However, Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the NPP, dismissed the claims, describing them as an attempt by Mr Aduomi to gain sympathy votes.

In another development, the Electoral Commission (EC) had to withdraw two of its officers following allegations of bribery.

In a press release signed by Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, the EC said during the by-election, the EC’s attention was drawn to a video circulating on social media showing an individual dropping an envelope on the table manned by a presiding officer and a ballot issuer at the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station with code F311503.

Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the EC’s Director of Electoral Services, has urged Ghanaians not to condemn the officers involved until investigations into the issue are conducted.