Polls have officially closed in the Akwatia constituency, bringing voting in the much-anticipated by-election to an end.
Voting, which began at 7:00 a.m., was largely smooth across the constituency, with officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) confirming that all polling stations opened on time and were supplied with the necessary electoral materials.
More than 50,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots.
Security was tight throughout the exercise, with more than 5,500 police officers deployed across the constituency to maintain law and order.
Agents of the contesting political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as well as independent observers, were present to monitor proceedings.
The Akwatia by-election is a race between NDC’s Bernard Bediako Baidoo, NPP’s Solomon Kwame Asumadu.
Early in the day, police arrested a man accused of tearing down a candidate’s campaign posters at a polling station. The swift intervention diffused what could have escalated into voter disruption.
At the Akwatia lorry station in the Vawaso Electoral Area, a heated confrontation unfolded between Alhaji Osman Masawudu (NPP Third National Vice Chairman) and an escort of Chief Sofo Azorka (NDC Vice Chairman). The scuffle reportedly took place in full view of police, who quickly intervened to restore calm
With voting now closed, counting is set to begin immediately at the various polling stations before results are collated at the constituency collation centre.
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Source: myjoyonline.com
