Africa-Press – Ghana. The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has declared victory in the Akwatia by-election ahead of the official results from the Electoral Commission (EC).
Mr Rashid Tanko Computer, Deputy Director of Elections and IT of the NDC, in a media interview, said the Party’s internal collation from 111 polling stations showed that their candidate was leading with certified pink sheets.
“From the figures we have received so far, the NDC is leading with 17,035 votes, while the NPP has 14,077 votes.
This represents 54.46 per cent for the NDC as against 45 per cent for the NPP. As we speak now, the place is green for the NDC,” he said confidently.
Meanwhile, supporters of the NDC in Akwatia are jubilating in various areas of the Constituency, with some waving miniature party flags or sporting party colours.
With victory songs and gestures, in especially their stronghold areas, they await an official confirmation from the EC.
The Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region went to the polls on Tuesday following the death of Mr Ernest Yaw Kumi of the NPP.
About 52,000 registered voters were expected to cast their ballots at 119 polling stations in the constituency, which has gained national prominence as a political swing seat.
The NPP fielded Mr Solomon Kwame Asumadu, a 40-year-old small-scale miner and graduate of All Nations University, while the NDC presented Mr Bernard Bediako Baidoo, a 40-year-old lawyer and constituency secretary of the party.
Since 1992, the Akwatia Constituency has alternated between the NPP and NDC, making it one of Ghana’s most competitive swing constituencies.
The NPP currently leads the head-to-head with five victories against the NDC’s four.
In 1992, the seat was won by Mr Gilbert Kwasi Agyei of the NDC.
In 1996, Alhaji Mohammed Erzuah Siam, also of the NDC, succeeded him.
The NPP broke the dominance in 2000 when Mr Kinston Akomeng Kissi captured the seat, which he retained in 2004.
In 2008, the NPP’s Kofi Asare won in a disputed election that required a rerun in six polling stations.
The NDC regained the seat in 2012 with Mr Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed before losing it in 2016 to the NPP’s Mrs Mercy Adu-Gyamfi.
In 2020, the NDC’s Mr Henry Yiadom Boakye won it back, only for the NPP’s Mr Ernest Kumi to reclaim it in 2024.
Ahead of Tuesday’s by-election, opinion polls conducted by Global Info Analytics tipped Mr Baidoo of the NDC as the favourite.
The NPP, however, dismissed the projections, expressing confidence that sympathy for the late Mr Kumi and grassroots mobilisation would deliver them victory.
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