Voting went on peacefully and smoothly in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency of the Greater Accra Region on Monday, December 2 in the special voting until the incumbent New Patriotic Party MP, Lydia Alhassan started sharing packs of food with voters in the queue.
Some officials of the Electoral Commission and security personnel supervising the process also received the food packs.
The incident agitated the opposition National Democratic Congress’ Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency, actor John Dumelo and executives of the party, as Lydia Alhassan led the sharing.
Although any form of inducement in elections in Ghana is illegal, such incidents usually occur in both internal party elections and national elections.
John Dumelo condemned the food sharing in an interview with Joy News’ Kwaku Asante.
“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” he quizzed.
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.
Before the incident, the two parliamentary candidates spoke confidently to Joy News about their chances in the election.
Meanwhile, reports from the Ayawaso Central Constituency also indicate that both NPP and NDC shared food specifically with Electoral Commission officials supervising the exercise.
Hundreds of security personnel, emergency service staff and Electoral Commission officials among others are taking part in the special voting exercise in 14 out of 16 regions.
The two other regions, Eastern and Western will have their special voting on Thursday, December 5, following a ballot paper mishap that has compelled the Electoral Commission to order a recall and a reprinting of ballot papers for the two regions.
The process has been generally smooth with high turnout but for a few incidents of missing names, food sharing among others.
ALSO READ: