The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana commenced the nationwide Special Voting exercise today, December 2, 2024, to allow essential personnel, including media professionals, election officials, and security officers, to cast their ballots ahead of the general election on December 7.
While the majority of the exercise proceeded smoothly, there were significant developments in certain regions and constituencies.
In the Western and Eastern Regions, the EC rescheduled the exercise for December 5, 2024, due to a ballot recall. The initial voting plan had targeted 328 centres, but logistical challenges necessitated the delay, ensuring that the process could be conducted without irregularities.
Meanwhile, in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, tensions flared during the exercise. John Dumelo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the constituency, openly criticized his rival, Lydia Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for what he deemed unethical conduct.
Dumelo accused Alhassan, the current Member of Parliament, of distributing food to voters at the polling centres, alleging that it was an attempt to influence the electorate.
“Lydia Alhassan is sharing food with voters during this exercise. This is not just wrong but an affront to fair democratic practices,” Dumelo asserted in a media briefing. Visibly agitated, he added, “If I wanted, I could do worse, but I choose to act with integrity. She needs to stop this now.”
However, Lydia Alhassan defended her actions, dismissing the accusations as baseless. Speaking in an interview with UTV, she argued that providing food to individuals involved in the long voting process was a humane gesture.
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“What is wrong with sharing food and water to people who are hungry and thirsty?” she asked rhetorically. “We are here to support the democratic process, not to deny people basic needs.”
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