The Director of Research and Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Evans Nimako, has addressed allegations involving Ayawaso West Wuogon legislator, Lydia Alhassan.
The MP was seen distributing food and water to voters in a queue at the Legon Police Station polling center.
Speaking during an interview on Joy FM‘s Newsnight, Mr Nimako suggested that the matter should be handled by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
“If the Special Prosecutor is going to investigate, let’s leave it to the OSP and avoid prejudicing the process,” he stated on Monday, December 2.
According to him, the NPP is confident in its electoral victory and accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of attempting to provoke confusion.
The allegations surfaced after videos and reports showed the MP handing out bags of food and water at the polling station, sparking unrest and raising questions about voter influence.
- NDC parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, in reaction, condemned the act, calling it a breach of electoral 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” he quizzed.
The OSP has since launched an investigation into the incident, gathering witness statements and evidence.
Meanwhile, Lydia Alhassan has denied allegations of distributing items to voters at a polling station during the special voting exercise.
- In an interview with
JoyNews
- addressing the claims, Lydia Alhassan said she was not even at the said polling station when the development reportedly ensued.
“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,” she added.