By Edward Acquah, GNA
Accra, March 3, GNA – Polls have closed in the Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election, with sorting and counting of ballots ongoing at the various polling stations across the constituency.
Voting ended at 1700 hours as scheduled, after opening at 0700 hours under heavy police presence. Final collation and declaration of the winner will be conducted at the St. Kizito Catholic Church at Nima by the Electoral Commission (EC).
The election was generally peaceful, with no major incidents reported as at the close of polls.
Security personnel were deployed early to polling centres across Nima, Maamobi, Accra New Town and adjoining communities to maintain law and order.
Police officers were stationed at strategic points, while patrol teams moved within the electoral areas throughout the day.
The Ghana Police Service had earlier indicated that 80 officers would be deployed to each electoral area to ensure adequate security.
Despite the calm atmosphere, there were concerns about low voter turnout. As of 1500 hours, some polling centres had recorded less than 30 per cent turnout, raising questions about overall participation in the by-election.
A total of 49,966 registered voters were expected to cast their ballots in the election, held on Tuesday, follows the death of the sitting
member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama, in January 2026.
Five candidates are contesting the seat: Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Baba Ali Yussif of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ibrahim Iddrisu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Umar Sanda Mohammed, an Independent candidate, and David Akonor, also an Independent candidate.
The NDC is seeking to retain the seat, which it has held since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992. The late Mahama secured more than 70 per cent of the valid votes cast in the 2024 general election.
An opinion poll by Global InfoAnalytics, a research institute, projected a commanding lead for the NDC candidate, Baba Jamal, estimating that he could secure about 75 per cent of the vote.
Ayawaso East, located within the Accra Metropolitan Area of the Greater Accra Region, is a densely populated urban constituency with a predominantly youthful electorate.
GNA
Edited Agnes Boye-Doe