Akwatia: Madam Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, the Eastern Regional Minister, has assured voters in the Akwatia Constituency of their safety during and after Tuesday’s parliamentary by-election. Madam Awatey, who chairs the Eastern Regional Security Council, said adequate police personnel had been deployed alongside other security measures to maintain law and order.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister expressed her delight at the early voter turnout while speaking to journalists after touring some polling stations. “I have been to a number of polling stations this morning and the numbers are encouraging. Akwatia is safe,” she stated. Mr. Evans Nimako, the Director of Elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), also expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the polls and the security arrangements. He noted that his team had not encountered any irregularities and remained optimistic that the process would continue smoothly, free, and fair.
Voting commenced at 0700 hours across all 119 polling stations in the constituency, with approximately 52,000 registered voters expected to cast their ballots. This by-election follows the passing of Mr. Ernest Yaw Kumi, the NPP Member of Parliament, who won the seat in the 2024 general election.
The Ghana News Agency observed that election materials were deployed as early as 0400 hours, with polling stations within the Akwatia Township completely set up by 0600 hours. At the Boadua Lorry Station Polling Centre, 15 people had already voted by 0720 hours. Security remains tight, with 5,500 police officers deployed across the constituency, and all vehicles entering Akwatia Township are being searched as part of the security operation.
The contest is between Mr. Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the NPP, a licensed small-scale miner and graduate of All Nations University, and Mr. Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a lawyer and the party’s constituency secretary. Akwatia, a traditional swing seat, has alternated between the NPP and NDC since 1992, making Tuesday’s by-election a crucial test of strength for both parties.