Deputy National Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress, Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer, has said the Ayawaso East by-election was conducted without the presence of intimidating groups or “macho men.”
According to him, the peaceful conduct of the polls reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring violence-free elections.
Speaking to the media after polls closed in the Ayawaso East constituency, he said,
“Today did you see anybody handling even a weapon. Even a stick, none of the police were even holding a stick.
This is what John Mahama has promised, that it will be peaceful, come and vote and go. It was so lovely.”
He contrasted the exercise with previous by-elections that were marred by violence and some vigilante activity.
“Unlike our own opponents, macho men. If you see one of the muscles, I don’t know whether they were going to Ukraine to fight. Look at how they brutalised people. On our watch it won’t happen. We’ll make sure that election is peaceful, that the people have voted and the verdict is very clear.”
Past by-elections in Ghana have recorded incidents involving party-affiliated vigilante groups.
In the Talensi by-election in 2015, clashes were reported between the Azorka Boys, linked to the National Democratic Congress, and the Bolga Bulldogs, associated with the New Patriotic Party.
The Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019 also witnessed chaos when masked armed men, later identified as National Security operatives, stormed a polling station at La-Bawaleshie, assaulting several people including Member of Parliament Sam George, with other individuals also sustaining gunshot wounds.
Similarly, the 2009 Akwatia by-election was characterised by heightened tension and reports of voter intimidation, leading to a rerun in six polling stations.
Counting is currently underway in the Ayawaso East by-election.
While the Electoral Commission of Ghana has not yet officially declared results, provisional figures from polling stations including Nima GHS 1 and Kanda GNTC indicate that Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed of the National Democratic Congress is maintaining a comfortable lead over the New Patriotic Party’s Baba Ali Yussif.
Election officials reported relatively low voter turnout, estimated at about 25% by midday.
This has been attributed to the polls being held on a Tuesday as well as the ongoing Ramadan period.
