Tensions are high in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency after the incumbent Member of Parliament and New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Lydia Alhassan, was seen distributing food packs to voters participating in the special voting exercise.
With assistance from her team, the MP handed out food to voters waiting in queues at the Legon Police Station, one of the designated special voting centres in the constituency.
John Dumelo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the constituency, criticized the act, describing it as illegal and a violation of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) rules.
Dumelo expressed strong disapproval, stating that such actions undermine the fairness of the process. He added that if he chose to engage in similar practices, he could do so on an even larger scale.
“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.