CHRAJ slams Lydia Alhassan for distributing food to voters

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has condemned the sharing of food by the Ayawaso West Wuogon Member of Parliament, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, during the special voting on Monday, December 2, 2024.

Despite initially denying the incident, Lydia Alhassan has defended her actions following the emergence of a video showing her and her constituency women’s organiser distributing food to voters during the special voting exercise.

The incident, which occurred at the Legon Police Station polling centre, sparked public debate about voter influence and electoral ethics.

In an interview on Citi FM’s Breakfast Show with Bernard Avle on Tuesday, December 3, Lydia Alhassan dismissed allegations of any malicious intent, stating that her actions were purely driven by compassion.

She explained that the situation began when one of the personnel in the queue requested water. Her women’s organiser provided the water, and observing others in need, the MP extended the gesture to those who appeared tired or hungry.

Dr Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of CHRAJ, however, told journalists in Accra on Tuesday that the actions of the Member of Parliament were tantamount to corruption.

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.”