The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has criticized Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the Ayawaso West Wuogon MP, for distributing food to voters during the special voting on December 2, 2024.
Despite initially denying the act, Alhassan defended her actions, claiming they were out of compassion after a request for water.
However, Dr. Joseph Whittal, CHRAJ Commissioner, called her actions a form of corruption, as they could influence voters. The incident, which occurred at the Legon Police Station polling centre, has raised concerns about electoral ethics.
He noted that “It is not right to treat as in the legal term, to share food, to share money to anybody in the queue in preparation to vote. It is tantamount to corruption and integrity issues.”
Dr Whittal added, “So having seen that it could happen to even security officials, we have always assumed that that will not be the case. It never happened in the past but this time round, it seems it has happened so we will factor that into our next election.”
