Voting has commenced in Akwatia for the by-election to elect a new Member of Parliament.
A total of 52,328 eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots in 119 polling stations to select a replacement for the late MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
At the Akwatia AME Zion polling station, a woman who voted early told TV3’s Mawuena Egbeta that she wanted to cast her ballot early and then head home to relax.
She also mentioned that there have been rumours of potential violence around 3 pm, which is why she wanted to vote early and avoid any such incidents.
However, the voter expressed strong optimism that nothing untoward will happen and the exercise will remain peaceful throughout.
In what appears to be a fiercely-contested by-election, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has put forward Bernard Bediako Baidoo as its candidate, with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) being represented by Solomon Kwame Asumadu.
The political parties have both strategised to win the poll since the outcome will give the victor the bragging rights, as to which party appeals to the people after the new government took over.
With both candidates mounting intensive campaigns prior to today, senior party figures and national executives of both parties stormed the constituency to aid their respective candidates in the campaign.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has deployed over 5,500 officers across the constituency to safeguard the exercise, following the violence that have characterised almost every by-election in the country.
The officers have been tasked with maintaining peace and order before, during and after voting.
The police have cautioned against acts of violence, voter intimidation or breaches of electoral regulations, vowing to deal firmly with offenders.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has also given assurances of a transparent and credible exercise.
According to the Commission, special arrangements have been made to guarantee the timely delivery of electoral materials, close monitoring and efficient collation of results.
The by-election has drawn intense national interest as it is widely regarded as a test of political strength between the NDC and NPP ahead of the 2028 general elections.
