Voting is underway across 119 polling stations in 21 electoral areas as over 52,000 registered voters in the Akwatia Constituency are casting their ballots today, Tuesday, September 2, to elect a new Member of Parliament following the passing of the late MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
The exercise has 484 temporary election officers deployed by the Electoral Commission (EC). All election materials, including ballot papers, registers, and Biometric Verification Devices, have been distributed to ensure polls opened on time at 7 a.m.
Eastern Regional Director of the EC, John Appiah Barfour, confirmed that all officers have been trained and that political parties have pledged their cooperation to maintain a peaceful election.
Security has been strengthened, with over 5,500 Ghana Police Service personnel deployed across the constituency, including a mobile prison van, to prevent violence, voter intimidation, or breaches of electoral regulations.
The by-election is attracting nationwide attention as a key contest between the two major parties.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is represented by Bernard Bediako Baidoo, while Solomon Kwame Asumadu stands for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Owusu Patrick of the Liberal People’s Party is also in the race.
A recent poll by Accra-based Global InfoAnalytics indicates that NDC candidate Bernard Bediako Baidoo is projected to secure 53% of the votes, with NPP’s Solomon Asumadu expected to receive 47%.
Political analysts say today’s vote will be closely monitored as an indicator of voter sentiment ahead of the 2028 general elections. The EC has assured that all arrangements are in place for a transparent and credible by-election.
