Tensions are escalating in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency after Lydia Alhassan, the incumbent Member of Parliament and NPP parliamentary candidate, was seen distributing food to special voters waiting in a queue.

The MP was observed handing out food packs to voters taking part in the Special Voting exercise at the Legon Police Station, a designated polling station in the constituency.

Alhassan, with support from her team, handed out food to voters waiting in line, sparking criticism from her opponent, John Dumelo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate. Dumelo strongly criticized the gesture, asserting that it undermines the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.

“Why are you sharing food to people in the queue? Why are you doing that? Does it mean we cannot share food too? We are fully capable of doing the same thing, but it’s important to respect the rules of the Electoral Commission. It’s unacceptable to distribute anything, including food, to people in the queue who have not yet voted. You’re handing out food to voters, and we don’t even know what’s in those packs. Why would you do such a thing to people who are still in the process of voting? Do they think we can’t do it too? Let me assure you, we can not only do the same but even go further if we chose to. They shouldn’t even dare us,” John Dumelo warned, emphasizing the need to uphold fairness and decorum during the electoral process.

When asked about the incident , Madam Alhassan said, “They’re always trying to attack me. They always do this, but here I am. By the grace of God, I have a temperament that is able to contain all of this. I am focused on my work for the people, and no matter the distractions, I will continue to serve them to the best of my ability.”