The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially declared the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, winner of the Akwatia Constituency by-election.
According to the final certified results from all 119 polling stations across 21 electoral areas, Baidoo secured 18,199 votes (54.30%), defeating the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, who polled 15,235 votes (45.46%). Owusu Patrick of the Liberal People’s Party had 82 votes (0.24%).
The EC noted that the exercise was conducted smoothly, with 484 temporary officers deployed to oversee the voting process. Over 5,500 Ghana Police Service personnel, including a mobile prison van, were stationed across the constituency to maintain security. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno praised the professionalism of officers, crediting their presence for the peaceful atmosphere despite initial tensions.
The outcome closely mirrored projections by Global Info Analytics, which had forecasted a narrow NDC lead of 53%-47%. Analysts say the victory is not only a significant boost for the NDC but also a key indicator of voter sentiment in the Eastern Region ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Despite low voter turnout in some areas and isolated incidents of minor clashes, the EC maintained that the process was transparent and credible, reaffirming Ghana’s reputation for conducting peaceful elections.
Source: www.kumasimail.com