By Edward Acquah/Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, March 2, GNA – Political parties have concluded their campaigns in the Ayawaso East Constituency ahead of the parliamentary by-election scheduled for Tuesday, March 3.
With 49,966 registered voters expected to cast their ballot, the police and the Electroral Commission have declared their readiness to ensure a successful exercise.
The contest features five candidates: 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, Independent, and David Akonor, Independent.
The by-election follows the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Mr Naser Toure Mahama, in January 2026, which created a vacancy in the constituency.
In the final days of campaigning, leading figures of the NDC and NPP intensified outreach efforts across Nima, Maamobi, Accra New Town and surrounding communities.
Party executives, campaign teams and supporters embarked on door-to-door engagements, street walks and community meetings to shore up support before drawing the curtain on their activities in line with electoral regulations.
The NDC is seeking to retain the seat, which it has held since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992.
The party’s candidate, Baba Jamal, has campaigned on continuity and community development, positioning himself as a successor to the late Member of Parliament.
The NPP, on the other hand, has rallied behind Baba Ali Yussif in a bid to overturn the NDC’s long-standing dominance in the constituency.
An opinion poll by Global InfoAnalytics, a research institute, has projected a commanding lead for Baba Jamal, tipping him to secure about 75 per cent of the vote.
The poll places the NPP candidate in a distant second position, while the remaining candidates are projected to attract marginal support.
Political analysts say the projection reflects the historical voting pattern of the constituency, though they cautioned that turnout would be a key factor.
Ayawaso East, located within the Accra Metropolitan Area of the Greater Accra Region, has consistently voted for the NDC in parliamentary elections.
In the 2024 general election, the late Naser Toure Mahama won the seat with more than 70 per cent of the valid votes cast, defeating the NPP candidate by a wide margin.
The constituency is densely populated and largely urban, with a youthful electorate that has shaped its electoral outcomes over the years.
The EC has indicated that all preparations for the by-election have been completed. Electoral officials have been trained and deployed, biometric verification devices configured, and ballot papers and other sensitive materials distributed to designated centres.
The Commission has urged voters to adhere strictly to electoral procedures to ensure a smooth and credible poll.
The Ghana Police Service has also assured residents of adequate security. The Service says 80 police officers will be deployed to each electoral area within the constituency to maintain law and order throughout the voting process.
In the lead-up to the election, the Police undertook visibility patrols and engagements with community leaders to promote peaceful participation.
As campaigning officially ends on Monday and the constituency observes the mandatory quiet period, attention now shifts to the constituents, who would determine on Tuesday who represents Ayawaso East in Parliament.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe