The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has launched an investigation into the alleged food-sharing incident in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency by the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP).
This was confirmed to Accra-based Channel One News by OSP officials at the Legon Police Station, one of the special voting centres.
Tensions escalated in the constituency when the MP and New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Lydia Alhassan, was seen distributing food packs to voters participating in the special voting exercise.
Ahead of the incident, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), issued a statement pledging to safeguard the integrity of the 2024 General Election by cracking down on corruption fraud, and other electoral malpractices.
A statement signed by Mr Kissi Agyebeng, the Special Prosecutor, therefore, urged election officials at polling stations and collation centres to maintain strict accountability.
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It warned that deliberately falsifying vote counts or making false declarations was a serious criminal offence with severe consequences.
The statement, assured citizens that it would swiftly address any violations that came to its attention. The OSP also reminded the public that Ghana’s laws strictly prohibited corrupt electoral activities, including vote buying, voter impersonation, intimidation, and violence.
“The law prohibits corrupt acts in relation to the elections,” the statement emphasised, cautioning individuals against engaging in or facilitating such practices. “The Office is alive to its mandate and would promptly address any such occurrence which comes to its notice,” it said.
With the help of her team, Lydia Alhassan, handed out food to voters waiting in queues at the centre.
John Dumelo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, condemned the act, calling it illegal and a violation of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) rules.
He expressed strong disapproval, stating that such actions undermined the fairness of the process. Dumelo, further remarked that he could also engage in similar actions on a larger scale if he chose to do so.
Tensions are high in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency after Lydia Alhassan, was seen distributing food packs to voters participating in the special voting exercise.
John Dumelo, criticized the act, describing it as illegal and a violation of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) rules.
“Why are you sharing food with people in the queue? Why are you doing that? Does it mean we cannot share food too? We can also share the same, but let’s respect the rules of the Electoral Commission. Don’t share anything with people in the queue who have not voted yet and you’re sharing food and we don’t even know what’s in the thing, and you’re sharing to people who have not voted yet.
“What kind of stupidity is this? Why? Do they think we can’t do it? We can do the same and even worse. They shouldn’t even try us,” he warned.
Meanwhile, ahead of the voting, Dumelo expressed optimism about his chances of winning the constituency seat in the December 7 elections.
Speaking to Citi News, Dumelo, expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the voting process and reiterated his confidence in securing victory when the final results are declared.
“My expectations are great. We know we are going to be victorious at the end of the day. We made some mistakes in 2020, and we have corrected those mistakes.
“We have seen our opponent’s weakness, so we are using that as our strength. On the 7th of December, which is in a few days, by the end of the day, we know we are going to be victorious. We are well prepared for victory.”
But Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has denied allegations that she distributed food to voters during the special voting exercise.
The claims arose after videos and reports surfaced showing the MP at the Legon Police Station polling centre, where she was allegedly seen handing out bags of food and water to individuals in the voting queue.
However, in an interview with the media, Lydia Alhassan, dismissed the allegations, rejecting suggestions that her actions were intended to influence voters or violate electoral rules.
“I wasn’t here. I don’t know if you saw me here. I’ve been here since… I came here before 6 am, and I left here a few minutes ago. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“I am yet to find out from them what happened.”
