GhanaWeb Feature by Ishmael Batoma:

The parliamentary by-election for the Akwatia Constituency, which is slated for Tuesday, September 2, 2025, is less than 24 hours away.

Three men: Bernard Baidoo, the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Solomon Asumadu, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate; and a third candidate, Owusu Patrick, are contesting.

A number of public polls have predicted victory for the candidates of the NDC and NPP in what is expected to be a very closely contested election.

The Akwatia Constituency has had representation in Parliament since the 1st Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana. This implies that the constituency has had 9 parliamentary elections.

Akwatia By-Election: Another poll puts NDC’s Baidoo in commanding lead

Data shows that, contrary to assertions that Akwatia is a stronghold of the NPP, the parliamentary election in Akwatia is very competitive. Out of the 9 elections held, the NPP has won 5, while the NDC has won 4.



Past elections data:

The NDC’s Gilbert Kwasi Agyei won the 1992 election, which was boycotted by the NPP. The NDC won the Akwatia seat again in 1996 with Alhaji Mohammed Erzuah Siam.

The NPP, represented by Kinston Akomeng Kissi, took the Akwatia seat in 2000. Kinston Akomeng Kissi retained the seat for the NPP in 2004. The party again won the seat in 2008 with Kofi Asare as their candidate.

NDC’s Baba Jamal ousted the NPP candidate in the 2012 election. In the 2016 election, the NPP retook the seat with Mercy Adu-Gyamfi as their candidate. NDC’s Henry Boakye won the seat back for his party in 2020.

The late Ernest Kumi of the NPP, whose death occasioned the September 2 by-election, won the seat for the NPP in 2024.



Margin of victories:

The election results show that parliamentary elections in Akwatia have historically been keenly contested between the NDC and the NPP.

The largest victory of the NDC in an election both parties contested was in 1996 — 9,325 votes, while the NPP’s largest victory was in 2016 — 5,528.

On average, the Akwatia seat has been won by not more than 2,000 votes. In the 2024 election, the NPP won by only 2,063.



Number of voters/polling stations:

The total number of registered voters for the Akwatia Constituency is 52,328, per the Electoral Commission of Ghana register used for the 2024 election.

The September 2, 2025, by-election will be taking place in 119 polling stations.

In the 2024 Election, a little over 70% of the total number of voters (36,769) turned out. Out of the total votes cast, 294 were rejected.



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