Former Ranking Member of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament, Inusah Fuseini, has chastised the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for defending Professor Kingsley Nyarko's alleged bribery of Electoral Commission (EC) temporary staff in the Ejisu by-election.
In a statement on Thursday, May 2, the NPP MP said the EC "has over the years built an image of credibility, integrity, honesty and discipline, and I will not do anything untoward to erode such virtues."
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on May 2, Mr Fuseini said the party should have referred the matter to the police rather than jumping in to defend the MP’s actions.
He explained that the NPP's actions contradict the core principles of democracy and were only worsening the monetisation of politics.
“I think what the NPP should have done was to refer him to the police and not defend him. That is the first step because that goes to the core of our democracy. We are all bemoaning the monetisation of our politics.
“Now there is an attempt to corrupt public officers in the performance of their duties in a public election.
- Read also: ‘I did not bribe anybody, my action was misconstrued’ – MP involved in Ejisu ‘envelope’ incident
“That is dangerous. That is very dangerous. So NPP itself ought to have reported the conduct of the Member of Parliament of Kwadaso to the Police for investigation”he said.
The former legislator explained that Professor Nyarko’s involvement in the alleged bribery incident brought his office as a Parliamentarian into disrepute, hence the House could evoke a standing order to ensure the MP faces the necessary sanctions.
“Again this is a Member of Parliament. The ethics of a Member of Parliament that I know of forbids a Member of Parliament from bringing the office of Parliament into disrepute.
- Read also: Ejisu by-election: NPP MP for Kwadaso, Kingsley Nyarko fingered in alleged electoral malpractice
"For a Member of Parliament to be aware that you have that ethics in Parliament and boldly stands before election officers and give them an envelope containing money on the pretence that he is feeding them is totally against the ethics of Parliament and I think that Parliament itself can invoke the standing orders of Parliament against the Member of Parliament for bringing the office of Parliament into disrepute,” he told host, Samuel Kojo Brace.
In a viral video during the Ejisu by-election on Tuesday, Dr Nyarko was seen approaching the table and dropping an envelope on the table manned by the presiding Officer and the Ballot Issuer.
The EC subsequently withdrew the two officials at the Fumesua Pentecost Church Polling Station stating it has started investigations into the matter.
Latest Stories
-
Paris 2024: Opening ceremony showcases grandiose celebration of French culture and diversity
3 hours -
How decline of Indian vultures led to 500,000 human deaths
4 hours -
Paris 2024: Ghana rocks ‘fabulous fugu’ at olympics opening ceremony
4 hours -
Trust Hospital faces financial strain with rising debt levels – Auditor-General’s report
5 hours -
Electrochem lease: Allocate portions of land to Songor people – Resident demand
5 hours -
82 widows receive financial aid from Chayil Foundation
5 hours -
The silent struggles: Female journalists grapple with Ghana’s high cost of living
5 hours -
BoG yet to make any payment to Service Ghana Auto Group
5 hours -
‘Crushed Young’: The Multimedia Group, JL Properties surprise accident victim’s family with fully-furnished apartment
6 hours -
Asante Kotoko needs structure that would outlive any administration – Opoku Nti
6 hours -
JoyNews exposé on Customs officials demanding bribes airs on July 29
7 hours -
JoyNews Impact Maker Awardee ships first consignment of honey from Kwahu Afram Plains
8 hours -
Joint committee under fire over report on salt mining lease granted Electrochem
8 hours -
Life Lounge with Edem Knight-Tay: Don’t be beaten the third time
8 hours -
Pro-NPP group launched to help ‘Break the 8’
8 hours