Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, has addressed controversy surrounding her actions during the Special Voting exercise on December 2, 2024, after a video emerged showing her distributing food to individuals in the voting queue at the Legon Police Station polling center.
In an interview on Citi FM’s Breakfast Show with Bernard Avle monitored by adwoaadubianews.com, Alhassan dismissed claims of voter influence, insisting her actions were driven by compassion. She explained that the gesture started when someone in the queue requested water, and her women’s organizer extended assistance to others who appeared tired or hungry.
“I thought there were people who might need food after I had served my team, so I decided to share with others who seemed in need,” she stated, emphasizing that the act was not politically motivated.
Critics, including her political rival John Dumelo, raised concerns about the ethical implications of her actions. However, Alhassan clarified that the food was meant for polling agents and media personnel, not voters, and maintained that her visit was solely to monitor the voting process as a stakeholder.
The MP also refuted allegations that she was present when Dumelo reacted to the incident, asserting that she had left the location before any altercations occurred.
“As a stakeholder, I had to oversee the process. The food we brought was specifically for our agents and the media, and I was not present during any further incidents,” she reiterated.
Alhassan concluded by reaffirming her commitment to ensuring a fair and smooth electoral process, dismissing claims that her actions were intended to sway voters.
