The Akwatia by-election turned chaotic on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, after a confrontation between two national executives of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The incident occurred at the Akwatia lorry station when NPP National Vice Chairman Osman Masawudu was granting an interview to journalists.
Midway through his remarks, NDC National Vice Chairman Sofo Azorka arrived at the scene and reportedly took offense at Masawudu’s reference to his name during the interview.
Azorka, visibly upset, confronted Masawudu, resulting in a heated exchange that nearly escalated into violence.
The situation created panic among party supporters present, forcing police officers stationed at the polling centers to intervene swiftly and restore calm.
The Akwatia by-election, which has attracted national attention, is being contested primarily between the NDC’s Bernard Baidoo and the NPP’s Solomon Asumadu.
A total of 52,328 registered voters across 119 polling stations in 21 electoral areas are expected to cast their ballots.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has deployed 484 temporary election officers, including returning officers, presiding officers, technicians, verification officers, and ballot issuers, to manage the voting process
Despite the morning’s disturbance, voting has been largely peaceful, with electoral officials reporting smooth processes and adequate provision of materials, including tactile jackets for visually impaired voters.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has assured voters that the integrity of the polls remains intact, while security agencies have cautioned political actors to avoid actions that could disrupt the exercise.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
