Political analyst, Yaw Asani Tanoh, has condemned and strongly criticised security personnel captured on video receiving packs of food from the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, during the Special Voting exercise.
According to him, their actions have damaged the reputation of the security services and tarnished their image, as they should have known better that receiving gifts is not permitted.
Speaking about the incident on UTV on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, he expressed concerns over recurring incidents where security officers are seen scrambling for food at events.
He called for those involved to be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
“Those security personnel that we saw whose faces have been shown in the video should be prosecuted. They have disgraced the service and damaged their reputation. They have their own set of rules used to punish them, whether suspension or whatever they should be prosecuted if not a time will come where these security officers will scramble and rush for food outside,” he said.
Asani Tanoh further condemned Lydia Alhassan for violating electoral laws by gifting voters in an attempt to induce and influence their voting decisions.
He called for her to be sanctioned strictly for her actions.
“There are rules guarding the elections which says they are to keep a certain distance away from the voters. She being a sitting MP is aware of the electioneering processes so why would she go there to engage and hug them. This woman must be called to book and they shouldn’t treat her with kids gloves. If we don’t sanction her to serve as a deterrent, it will continue across the country,” he stressed.
Regarding the EC officials, he chastised them for failing to enforce their rules and for turning a blind eye, allowing such incidents to occur.
He attributed these incidents of voter inducements to the lack of enforcement of their laws.
“For the electoral officers who watched on for this to happen and failed to act despite having rules for the electoral processes, should be called to book. They allowed the woman [Lydia] to disrupt the thoughts of the voters. If we don’t take action, they will indoctrinate us to the point where people going to vote will expect them to be paid by these politicians.”
Background
The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan was captured during the Special Voting execise sharing what is suspected to be food packs to persons waiting in line to cast their ballots in the ongoing Special Voting.
