The Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, has criticized the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, for distributing food to voters during the special voting exercise on Monday, December 2.
Mr. Tetteh Chaie accused the MP, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, of engaging in voter inducement, a violation of electoral laws.
“There is video evidence of the incident. She was sharing food directly to Electoral Commission (EC) officials and voters, so any claims to the contrary are outrageous,” he stated in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Tuesday.
He further expressed disappointment in the Electoral Commission (EC) and security services for allowing the act to occur.
“I place the blame on the Electoral Commission (EC) and the security services tasked with supervising the special voting exercise. We know that vote-buying is a violation of the law. According to our constitution, on a voting day, the voting jurisdiction belongs to the EC.
“Therefore, if a parliamentary candidate has the audacity to distribute food at a polling station, it indicates that the EC is complicit in this breach of the constitution. Lydia Alhassan should have known better; her actions were a clear violation of the law, especially given her position as a legislator,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, Osman Iddrisu, NPP Chairman for Ayawaso West Wuogon, explained that the food and drinks were intended for EC officials and party agents, not voters.
However, Mr. Tetteh Chaie dismissed the explanation and called for accountability, accusing the Police and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) of turning a blind eye to such acts under the current government.
“Even if the Office of the Special Prosecutor takes up the matter, it will likely lead to nothing because, under the Akuffo Addo-led NPP government, cases involving the NPP often see processes initiated but no results.
“The police should have questioned the MP for her actions, as they constitute a criminal act and amount to voter fraud. She allegedly bought votes from individuals while they were queuing to vote. Therefore, if the security officers present did not take any action, what do you expect the Office of the Special Prosecutor to do?” he quizzed.
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