John Dumelo, the Parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, has officially lodged a criminal complaint with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) against sitting Member of Parliament Lydia Seyram Alhassan. The complaint alleges electoral malpractice during the special voting exercise held on December 2, 2024.
In a detailed Facebook post, Mr. Dumelo accused Lydia Alhassan of distributing plastic bags containing food and other items to voters at the Legon Police Station polling center. He claimed the act was an attempt to unlawfully influence voters, which he further described as part of a broader plot to sway the upcoming elections on December 7, 2024.
The Complaint Details
Filed by Dumelo’s polling agent, Benjamin Avornyotse, the complaint includes video evidence reportedly showing Alhassan handing out the packages while whispering to voters. Mr. Avornyotse urged the OSP to take immediate action to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
“I saw Ms Lydia Seyram Alhassan and her supporters holding several white plastic bags with unknown contents,” the complaint stated. “Later, I saw her hand the bags to individuals in the queue.”
Lydia Alhassan Responds
Madam Lydia Alhassan denied any wrongdoing, explaining that the food packages were intended for her campaign team, Electoral Commission agents, and journalists at the polling station. She acknowledged that some packages were given to voters but insisted this was unintentional and not an attempt to influence the election.
“Someone in the queue asked for a package, and out of goodwill, my women’s organiser gave one, which led to a few others being handed out,” Alhassan clarified during a radio interview with Citi FM. She assured the public that measures would be implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Public Reaction and Criticism
The incident has sparked widespread reactions, with Dumelo criticizing the act as a breach of electoral laws. In a video statement, he remarked, “Why are you sharing food with people in the queue? Let’s respect the rules of the Electoral Commission. This behaviour must stop.”
The Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Dr. Joseph Whittal, also commented on the incident, calling it an embarrassment, particularly for security officers seen accepting the packages in the viral footage. “Security officers must be security conscious. This incident reflects poorly on their professionalism,” he stated.
As the main election approaches, this development underscores the importance of maintaining transparency and fairness in Ghana’s democratic processes.
