It started quietly, the way most election-day issues do. Murmurs in the queue. Side comments. Then suddenly, it was everywhere.

Some delegates at a polling centre in Manhyia South raised concerns after spotting their Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, interacting with voters who were already lined up to cast their ballots. To them, it didn’t sit right. In their view, election day is about distance, not discussion.

But the MP sees it differently.

“There Was No Campaigning”

According to Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the claims that he was “engaging” voters inappropriately are being misunderstood. He insists there was no campaigning, no persuasion, no instructions given.

“I was only checking on them,” he said, explaining that he approached the queue to make sure people were comfortable and that the process was moving smoothly.

In his words, it was about welfare, not politics.

Where the Discomfort Came From

Still, some delegates were not convinced. They argue that even casual interaction by a sitting MP near voting queues can be misinterpreted, especially on a day where neutrality matters more than intention.

One delegate was quoted as saying, “Even if the intentions are good, the timing is wrong.”

That sentiment reflects a broader concern during internal party elections — where lines between friendliness and influence can blur easily.

A Familiar Election-Day Debate

This isn’t the first time such an issue has come up in Ghanaian politics. Every election season brings similar arguments:
How close is too close?
When does concern become influence?
And should public officials keep their distance entirely once voting begins?

Supporters of the MP say the backlash is unnecessary, pointing out that leaders should not suddenly become strangers to the people they represent. Critics say perception matters as much as action.

For Now, Just Words Against Feelings

No official complaint has been filed. No sanctions announced. Just conversations, some loud, some quiet — about conduct, optics, and trust.

Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah maintains that his presence was harmless and motivated by care, not control.

Whether delegates accept that explanation or not, the incident has once again reminded everyone that on voting day, even simple gestures can become political statements.

And in a tense atmosphere, perception often travels faster than truth.

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