Election 2024: Inducing a voter to vote – Is Lydia Alhassan Violating the PNDC law 284?

During today’s special voting exercise in Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Alhassan, the incumbent MP for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stirred debate by distributing food to voters and Electoral Commission officials. The gesture was criticized by John Dumelo, her rival candidate from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who argued it could be seen as an attempt to influence voters—a practice that breaches electoral guidelines.

The scene unfolded amidst an otherwise peaceful voting process. While some viewed the act as a gesture of goodwill, Dumelo and others expressed concerns about its implications for the election’s fairness, urging strict adherence to the rules to maintain integrity

Election 2024: Inducing a voter to vote

Election 2024|| Sections 33 and 34 of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) Law 284, also known as the Representation of the People Law, 1992, pertain to election-related provisions in Ghana. Below is an explanation of these sections:

Section 33: Offenses Related to Voting

This section outlines specific offences individuals may commit during the voting process. These include:

1. Voting More Than Once: It is an offence to vote more than once in the same election, whether by impersonation or other fraudulent means.
2. Impersonation: Voting under someone else’s name or using another person’s voter ID is prohibited.
3. Illegal Voting: Casting a vote when not legally entitled is considered an offence under this section.
4. Bribery and Intimidation: Offering or accepting bribes, or using intimidation to influence voting behaviour, is a punishable offence.

Section 34: Declaration of Election Results

This section describes how election results should be declared and the responsibilities of electoral officials. Key points include:

1. Role of Returning Officers: The Returning Officer in each constituency is responsible for collating and declaring the results based on the tallies from polling stations.
2. Documentation: Results must be recorded and signed in official collation forms to ensure accuracy and accountability.
3. Public Announcement: The results must be made public once the collation is complete.

These provisions were enacted to uphold transparency, fairness, and legality in Ghana’s electoral process. Let me know if you’re looking for further legal interpretation or applications of these sections!