The Member of Parliament for Kumawu constituency in the Ashanti Region, Ernest Yaw Anim, has addressed accusations of vote-buying leveled against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the recently concluded Ejisu by-elections.

He defended the practice of candidates financially supporting their supporters to cover expenses like food and transportation on election day, emphasizing that this is a common practice and not exclusive to the NPP.

Ernest noted that nearly all candidates in the Ejisu by-elections made similar financial provisions for their supporters, yet only the NPP is being criticized by the public.

During an interview with Oyerepa TV, Ernest dismissed allegations that the NPP used money to influence voters in the Ejisu by-elections.

Responding to claims that the NPP purchased victory by heavily investing in the election, Ernest calmly pointed out that spending money during campaigns is a standard practice for all candidates.

He argued that providing financial support for supporters' food and transportation does not constitute vote-buying, as other candidates did the same.

His comments come in the wake of a video showing Kwadaso MP, Prof Kingsley Nyarko, placing an envelope on a table where Electoral Commission officials were stationed during the Ejisu elections. The EC later stated that the money was intended for lunch for the officials.

However, some members of the public have rejected this explanation, calling for action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, the NPP's candidate, Kwabena Boateng, emerged victorious in the Ejisu by-elections, defeating his closest rival, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi.

Ejisu by-electionWe didn't induce electorates to vote for Lawyer Kwabena Boateng, we only gave them TnT - Kumawu MP, Ernest Anim#ElectionField pic.twitter.com/43poEIlt9F— Oyerepa TV/FM (@oyerepaofficial) May 1, 2024