The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan has defended her actions after a video surfaced showing her and her constituency’s women’s organizer distributing food to voters during the Special Voting exercise on Monday, December 2, 2024.
The incident, which took place at the Legon Police Station polling center, has sparked widespread debate about voter influence and electoral ethics. The video shows the MP handing out food packages to individuals in the voting queue.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, December 3, Lydia Alhassan dismissed accusations of wrongdoing, insisting that her actions were motivated by compassion rather than an attempt to influence voters. She explained that the gesture began when a voter in the queue requested water. Her women’s organizer provided the water, and seeing others who appeared tired or hungry, she decided to extend the assistance.
Critics, including her political opponent John Dumelo, questioned whether the act could be interpreted as voter inducement. In response, Lydia Alhassan rejected such claims, stressing that she visited the polling station solely as a stakeholder to observe the process and ensure it was proceeding smoothly.