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The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially declared Ernest Kumi of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the Member of Parliament-elect for Akwatia, concluding a contentious electoral process.
The declaration took place at the National Police Training School in Tesano, Accra, after multiple failed attempts to finalize the results in the Eastern Region. Kumi secured 19,269 votes, defeating the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Henry Yiadom Boakye, who garnered 17,206 votes.
Traditionally an NPP stronghold, Akwatia became a national flashpoint in the December 7 elections. Disputes, delays, and accusations from various parties turned the process into a drawn-out affair.
The constituency was among four, including Suhum, Nsawam, and Fanteakwa North, whose results were relocated to Accra for re-collation due to rising tensions and allegations of irregularities.
The EC’s decision to transfer the collation process to Tesano aimed to ensure transparency and security. Representatives from both the NPP and NDC were present at the neutral venue.
While the NPP praised the EC for taking decisive action to resolve the controversy, NDC supporters criticized the move, claiming it compromised local party representation and the process’s credibility.
Ernest Kumi, who previously won the NPP primaries in 2023 by defeating Ama Sey, has risen as a significant figure within the party. His primary victory underscored his readiness to contest in the general elections, although the road to securing the parliamentary seat was far from smooth.
