NDC’s Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed has won the Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election, keeping the seat for his party in a contest marked by low voter turnout.
The March 3 election was generally peaceful, but many residents stayed away from the polls. Out of 49,966 registered voters, only 17,048 cast their ballots — representing a turnout of just 34 per cent.
According to official results released by the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Baba Jamal secured 10,884 votes, representing 63 per cent of the valid ballots cast. His main challenger, Baba Ali Yussif of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), polled 4,009 votes.
Ibrahim Iddrisu of the Liberal Party of Ghana received 43 votes. Independent candidates Umar Sanda Mohammed and David Akonor obtained 1,885 and 104 votes, respectively. Of the total ballots cast, 16,928 were valid, while 120 were rejected.
The by-election became necessary following the death of the sitting MP, Naser Toure Mahama.
“This Victory Is for the People”
Speaking after he was declared winner, Baba Jamal expressed gratitude to his family and constituents.
“I dedicate this win to my 90-year-old mother Mimi and the people of Ayawaso East. This victory is for the people of Ayawaso East,” he said.
He also promised to focus on development in the constituency.
“I want to assure the people of Ayawaso East that the resetting starts now. I am here to help rebrand Nima,” he added.
A former Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal stepped down from his diplomatic role to contest the seat. His selection as the NDC candidate was, however, surrounded by allegations of vote-buying and inducement during the party’s internal process.
