A total of 49,966 registered voters are heading to the polls today in the Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election, following the death of the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama, in January.
Five candidates are contesting the seat, with voting taking place across 113 polling stations in the constituency.
The candidate order on the ballot paper, determined by balloting on February 12, sees the National Democratic Congress’ Baba Jamal in first position, followed by Ibrahim Iddrisu of the Liberal Party of Ghana. Yussif Baba Ali of the New Patriotic Party occupies the third spot, with independent candidates Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Sanda and David Kannor in fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Electoral preparations complete
Sam Dottoh Kwaah, a Director of the Electoral Commission, confirmed that all arrangements for the poll have been finalised. He stated that election officials have been recruited and trained, while two Biometric Verification Devices have been deployed to each polling station.
Ballot papers and result declaration forms were delivered to the constituency on Saturday, February 28.
Heavy security deployment
The Ghana Police Service has deployed 80 officers to each polling station as part of comprehensive security measures for the election.
“Every electoral area will have about 80 police officers to protect everyone. So everyone should come out and vote freely,” said Deputy Nima District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police Asong Ayrakwa.
On Saturday, police conducted a show of force and route march through the constituency’s principal streets to demonstrate readiness and deter potential troublemakers.
Final campaign push
Political parties intensified their campaigns over the weekend, with candidates making final appeals to voters through rallies and door-to-door canvassing.
During the NDC’s final rally on Sunday, party National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah announced the expulsion of Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Sanda from the party following his decision to contest as an independent candidate.
“It will take him about eight years before he can contest any position in the party,” Asiedu Nketiah said. “Even if, after the by-election, he decides to return, he cannot contest immediately and would have to wait until 2032.”
The NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, and former General Secretary John Boadu were also seen campaigning for their candidate in the “Gutter” neighbourhood.
Historical context
The late Naser Toure Mahama had held the Ayawaso East seat for the NDC since 2016, securing increasingly strong mandates in successive elections.
In the 2024 parliamentary elections, he polled 22,139 votes (70.85%) to defeat the NPP’s Zak Rahman, who garnered 9,110 votes (29.15%). His 2020 victory saw him obtain 23,583 votes (61.18%) against the NPP’s Peter Kwame Antwi Mireku’s 14,966 votes (38.82%).
The 2016 results showed Alhaji Mahama with 23,407 votes (62.10%), Mireku with 13,599 votes (36.08%), while smaller parties shared the remaining votes.
Voting continues throughout today, with results expected to be announced by the Electoral Commission following the conclusion of the process.
