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Concerns regarding electoral integrity are raised when voters in Ablekuma West reject food parcels that were purportedly delivered by MP Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
In a heated dispute that broke out at a polling station, voters in the Ablekuma West Constituency turned away a pick-up truck that was transporting food packs.
The car was forced to depart the property amid fervent protests after the driver was yelled at by the obviously upset audience.
The passengers in the car claim that incumbent MP Ursula Owusu-Ekuful supplied the food packets, which were meant for party officials who were positioned at the polling booth. The altercation resulted from voters’ interpretation of the gesture as an attempt to influence the election’s outcome.
Since then, a widely shared video of the event has gone viral online, showing voters yelling, “We don’t want it!” as the pick-up truck was driven away while election officials and security guards watched.
On social media, the incident has generated a range of responses. Others have called for moderation and a more measured response to claims of electoral malfeasance, while others have applauded the voters for rejecting what they saw as unethical.
This controversy comes after a similar incidence that happened on Monday, December 2, during the special voting exercise. According to reports, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, was observed giving out bags of food and drink to people waiting in line to cast their ballots.
The MP has refuted the allegations, stating that the food items seen in the widely shared video were intended for her campaign staff, Electoral Commission representatives, and reporters who were at the polling place.
“Yes, we sent food for our team, agents, and a few journalists, and I was at the polling station to watch the process,” she stated. “Out of kindness, my women’s organizer donated a box to someone in line who requested one. As a result, several others were given. I didn’t distribute anything myself, and it wasn’t deliberate.
In the meantime, another widely shared video of security guards gathering food in a voting line during the special voting exercise prompted comments from Dr. Joseph Whittal, Commissioner of the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Dr. Whittal voiced concerns to reporters following a health screening event for 300 CHRAJ employees who will keep an eye on human rights concerns during the elections on December 7.
“When I looked at the video, it was more of an embarrassment because security officers must be security conscious,” he said, adding that such actions undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
‘We don’t want it!’: Voters in Ablekuma West reject food from Ursula Owusu-Ekuful
