Voting in the Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election has officially ended, with electoral officials now sorting and counting ballots at polling stations across the constituency.

Polling opened at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 5:00 p.m., concluding a day-long exercise to elect a new Member of Parliament following the death of the area’s former MP, Mahama Naser Toure, in January 2026.

According to the Electoral Commission (EC), the by-election was largely peaceful.

Koku Anyidoho speaks on vote buying, voter turnout in Ayawaso East by-election

Speaking to the media at polling stations, Fred Tetteh, Director of Research at the EC, reported voter participation of between 10% and 25% in most locations, describing it as below average. Despite the low turnout, he expressed satisfaction with the overall conduct of the by-election.

“The presence of the police has been a critical factor in ensuring a peaceful process. Even though polling stations are large and sometimes not very conducive, the officials and candidate agents have been competent,” he noted.

Five candidates contested the seat. Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed represented the National Democratic Congress (NDC), while Yussif Baba Ali stood on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Ibrahim Iddrisu contested on the platform of the Liberal Party of Ghana, and two independent candidates, Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Sanda and David Kannor, also vied for the seat.

Results from the various polling stations will be collated and declared by the EC once counting is completed.

LIVE UPDATES: Ayawaso East by-election takes place

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Ayawaso East By-Election: Presiding Officer David Chinery explains voting process