The candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Baba Jamal has been elected Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East following a by-election held on March 3 across 113 polling centres in the constituency.
The exercise, supervised by officials of the Electoral Commission and heavily policed, ended peacefully, although turnout was described as low. Out of nearly 50,000 registered voters, 16,928 cast their ballots.
The former High Commissioner to Nigeria secured a commanding 10,884 votes, representing 63 per cent of the valid votes cast, clinching the seat convincingly.
Baba Ali Yusif of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) finished second with 4,009 votes, representing 23 per cent.
Independent candidate Mohammed Umar Sanda polled 1,885 votes, while David Kanor, also running as an independent, obtained 104 votes. Ibrahim Iddrisu of the LPG secured 43 votes.
The by-election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of the sitting MP, Nasser Toure Mahama, in January. Baba Jamal will now represent the constituency in the 9th Parliament of the Republic of Ghana for the remainder of the term.
Leading figures from both major political parties were present at various polling stations during the voting process. Among those spotted were former Greater Accra Regional Minister Henry Quartey and former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko of the NPP, as well as former National Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo of the NDC.
Following the official declaration of results, Baba Jamal is expected to be sworn in by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, at the next sitting of the House.
