Programme Officer of CDD-Ghana, Paul Nana Kwabena Abroampah, has cautioned against adopting the ongoing Akwatia by-election security model as a benchmark for future polls.
Speaking to ABC News GH on Tuesday, he stressed that the ideal situation should be one where elections can proceed peacefully without heavy deployment of security personnel.
According to him, the focus must be on addressing underlying issues to reduce the need for extraordinary policing during electoral processes.
The Ghana Police Service has deployed 5,500 officers across the constituency to maintain order. These personnel were stationed a day before voting to familiarize themselves with the area and ensure preparedness for the exercise.
Their presence, authorities say, is meant to assure voters of safety and forestall any disturbances during the by-election.
So far, one person has been arrested for removing and tearing a political party poster. Beyond this incident, no major acts of violence have been reported. The situation remains calm, with security personnel stationed at polling centers and strategic locations across the constituency.
The by-election became necessary following the death of Member of Parliament Ernest Kumi, leaving Akwatia without representation in Parliament. More than 50,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots in a keenly contested race between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Solomon Kwame Asumadu.
Both parties have mounted vigorous campaigns, with senior officials and national executives rallying support on the ground. The Electoral Commission has assured that the process will be free, fair, and transparent. Residents have been urged to exercise their civic responsibility responsibly and to adhere to electoral regulations to safeguard the credibility of the outcome.
By Ruth Sekyi – [email protected]
