Voting has ended across 119 polling stations in 21 electoral areas in the Akwatia Constituency of Ghana’s Eastern Region, with counting now underway.
The by-election follows the death of sitting MP Ernest Yaw Kumi, with over 52,000 registered voters eligible to cast their ballots.
The Electoral Commission (EC) deployed 484 temporary officers, including presiding officers, returning officers, verification officers, and ballot issuers, to manage the exercise. d.
Security was heightened throughout the day, with over 5,500 Ghana Police Service personnel deployed, including a mobile prison van, to maintain order.
Despite the measures, the election witnessed isolated incidents of tension and chaos, including confrontations between party executives.
Observers also noted lower-than-expected voter turnout, raising concerns about political engagement in the constituency.
The contest was primarily between the NDC’s Bernard Bediako Baidoo, the NPP’s Solomon Kwame Asumadu, and Owusu Patrick of the Liberal People’s Party.
The EC has assured that the process remains transparent, credible, and in line with electoral regulations as counting continues.
