The Akwatia by-election witnessed a tightly contested race between Kwame Asumadu of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Bernard Bediako of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). As the clock struck 5 p.m., marking the official close of polls across the 119 polling stations, the Electoral Commission (EC) initiated the critical process of collating the results. Initial reports from election observers and security personnel painted a picture of a peaceful electoral exercise, devoid of any significant disruptions or incidents. The stage was set for a transparent and orderly aggregation of ballots cast, culminating in the declaration of a victor. However, the seemingly smooth process took an unexpected turn as the collation progressed.
The initial hours of collation proceeded as anticipated, with representatives from both the NPP and NDC present at the collation centre. They diligently observed the process, scrutinizing the figures as they were entered into the official tally. This presence assured adherence to established electoral procedures and offered a layer of transparency to the proceedings. However, as the evening unfolded, a curious and potentially significant development emerged. At approximately 7:20 p.m., observers noted the conspicuous absence of NPP representatives at the collation centre, despite their presence earlier in the evening. This absence coincided with mounting indications, based on the incoming results, that the NDC candidate, Bernard Bediako, was gaining momentum and potentially heading towards victory.
The absence of NPP agents at this crucial juncture in the electoral process raised immediate concerns and fueled speculation. In Ghana’s electoral system, the presence of party agents at collation centres holds significant importance. Their role extends beyond mere observation; they are entrusted with the responsibility of verifying the accuracy of results transmitted from individual polling stations and, if necessary, challenging any discrepancies or irregularities they may observe. This system of checks and balances is integral to ensuring the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. While such challenges can contribute to a more rigorous and accountable system, they do not, in themselves, possess the power to halt the collation process or invalidate the results. The ultimate authority to proceed with and finalize the count rests with the Returning Officer.
The timing of the NPP agents’ withdrawal, coinciding with the apparent shift in momentum towards the NDC candidate, inevitably sparked questions and fueled speculation about the motives behind their departure. Did they preemptively withdraw in anticipation of defeat, or were there other underlying factors contributing to their absence? Despite the absence of NPP representation, the EC officials, adhering to established protocol, proceeded with the collation process. Under the watchful eyes of NDC representatives, security personnel, and election observers, the results continued to be tallied and entered into the official record.
The decision by the EC to proceed with the collation in the absence of NPP agents underscores the established principle that the absence of one party’s representatives does not invalidate the process. The Returning Officer retains the authority to continue and finalize the count, ensuring that the electoral process is not held hostage by the actions or inactions of any single party. This principle is designed to safeguard the integrity of the election and prevent any attempts to manipulate or obstruct the declaration of results. While the absence of NPP agents may raise questions about their strategic decisions and potentially cast a shadow over the perceived fairness of the process, it does not, in and of itself, negate the validity of the results.
The Akwatia by-election, while seemingly peaceful in its execution at the polling stations, became marked by this unusual and potentially controversial development at the collation centre. The absence of NPP agents at a critical juncture, combined with the emerging trend favoring the NDC candidate, created a situation ripe for scrutiny and debate. While the EC proceeded with the count, adhering to the established legal framework, the incident undoubtedly left lingering questions about the NPP’s strategic decisions and their potential implications for the perceived legitimacy of the election outcome. The full ramifications of this event would likely unfold in the days and weeks following the official declaration of the results, as political analysts and commentators dissected the events and their potential impact on the political landscape.
