Electoral Commission trains officials ahead of Akwatia by-election to replace late MP Ernest Yaw Kumi

The Electoral Commission (EC) has completed a five-day training workshop for voting operations staff in Akwatia in preparation for the September 2 by-election to fill a vacant parliamentary seat.

The Eastern Regional Office of the Commission led the training for presiding officers, returning officers, verification officers, polling station officials, and members of the technical team. According to Mr. John Appiah Baffoe, Eastern Regional Director of the EC, the exercise was designed to ensure strict compliance with electoral procedures on election day.

The by-election follows the passing of Mr. Ernest Yaw Kumi, who won the Akwatia parliamentary seat in the 2024 general election but died on July 7, 2025. Mr. Baffoe disclosed that all necessary materials, including parliamentary ballot papers, ballot boxes, and biometric verification devices, were ready for dispatch to the 119 polling stations across the constituency. He said Akwatia has 52,328 registered voters, with three candidates contesting the seat: Mr. Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Asumadu Solomon of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Mr. Patrick Owusu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG). Voting will run from 0700 to 1700 hours, and voters are required to bring their voter identification cards.

Madam Evelyn Korang, Council of State Member for the Eastern Region, appealed to all contesting parties to conduct their campaigns and engagements peacefully. She further urged security agencies to exercise restraint and professionalism in handling election-related matters to ensure peace and order in the constituency.