KEY POINTS
- NDC condemns Lydia Alhassan’s alleged food-sharing as voter influence during Ayawaso West Wuogon special voting.
- John Dumelo calls the act illegal, undermining the fairness of Ghana’s electoral process.
- Mustapha Gbande urges Police action, criticizing delays caused by OSP’s investigation.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has voiced strong opposition to the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) decision to investigate allegations of food-sharing by Lydia Alhassan, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon.
The incident, which reportedly took place during the special voting exercise on December 2, 2024, is alleged to have been an attempt to influence voters at the Legon Police Station polling center.
NDC urges police action over food-sharing
According to Ghanaweb, NDC Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande criticized the OSP’s involvement, arguing that it could lead to unnecessary delays in addressing the matter.
Gbande emphasized the need for immediate police intervention, calling for Alhassan’s arrest. “This issue is not a matter for the Special Prosecutor; it will delay. The Police should pick her up from the polling station,” Gbande said during an interview. He further accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of engaging in unethical practices that undermine electoral integrity.
The NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, also condemned the alleged food-sharing incident. Dumelo described the act as illegal and contrary to the Electoral Commission’s (EC) regulations, stating that such behavior compromises the fairness of the electoral process. “This undermines the trust voters place in our democratic system,” Dumelo said.
Gbande dismissed the OSP’s involvement as unnecessary, suggesting that the case was straightforward. “We have seen footage of food being distributed at voting centers.
The police should act swiftly instead of waiting for a prolonged investigation,” he said. Gbande also alleged other forms of electoral misconduct by the NPP, including unsolicited mobile money transfers to election officials.
NDC questions OSP probe, urges electoral reforms
The OSP’s announcement of the investigation has sparked debate over its appropriateness and efficiency. Critics argue that the focus on this issue detracts from broader systemic concerns in Ghana’s electoral process.
As the controversy unfolds, the NDC continues to call for stricter enforcement of electoral rules to prevent acts that could compromise the credibility of Ghana’s elections. The incident has reignited discussions about the role of the OSP and law enforcement in ensuring fair electoral practices.
The Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency has often been a hotspot for political tensions, and the latest allegations highlight the challenges in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process in Ghana. Whether the OSP’s involvement will yield actionable outcomes remains to be seen.
