Ablekuma voters go to the polls

Accra (Greater Accra), 26 March '99 - Voters at Ablekuma Central Constituency in Accra go to the polls today in a by-election following the death of the New Patriotic Party candidate (NPP), Clement Crabbe. The Electoral Commission said 93,995 registered voters, including one newly transferred voter, are eligible to vote. There will be 106 polling stations. Five candidates, including an independent one, are contesting the seat. They are Alhaji Ismail Bawa for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Victor Nortey for the New patriotic Party (NPP), Hajia Fati for the Convention Party, Solomon Bayugo Suleman, an independent candidate supported by the Reform Movement, and Musah Nartey for the People's National Convention. In 1996, Mr Crabbe won with only 40.5 per cent of the vote (30,158 votes) while Mr Bawa, who was also the NDC candidate at the time, came second with 38.8 per cent (28,952 votes). An independent candidate, Cornelius Adablah, came third with 9.5 per cent of the votes, the People's National Convention (PNC) candidate, Ahmed Ramadan, had 8.8 per cent and People's Convention Party (PCP) candidate, Mr Ellis Quaye, came last with 2.4 per cent. In the presidential election for that year in the constituency, President Rawlings won 51.7 per cent of the votes (37,783) followed by Mr J.A. Kufuor with 44.9 per cent (32,749 votes). Dr Edward N. Mahama polled 2,485 votes (3.4 per cent) to place third. Meanwhile, Mr David Kanga, deputy Electoral Commissioner, says the Electoral Commission has taken all security measures to ensure a smooth election. Counting will start at the polling stations when the polls close and the result would be known tonight.