Electoral authorities face mounting pressure to implement enhanced security protocols ahead of the Akwatia by-election, following violent disruptions during the July 11 parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North.
The incident exposed procedural weaknesses including conflicting Electoral Commission directives about affected polling stations and delayed resolution of 2024 electoral disputes.
Policy analysts emphasize low-cost solutions to prevent recurrence in Akwatia, triggered by MP Ernest Kumi’s death. Key recommendations include deploying trained non-partisan marshals to enforce 50-meter exclusion zones using physical barriers at high-risk stations. These personnel would manage voter flow through designated pathways during queuing, verification, and voting stages.
A complementary proposal urges the Election Security Taskforce to implement access controls at coalition centers through identification checks, preventing unauthorized gatherings during vote aggregation. Electoral observers note these measures require coordination with the National Commission for Civic Education for comprehensive voter awareness campaigns about security perimeters and electoral rights.
The reforms respond to constitutional imperatives under Articles 42 and 55, guaranteeing universal suffrage and multi-party participation. Analysts argue transparent implementation could transform Akwatia into a model for future by-elections despite the constituency’s history of political tensions. Implementation timelines remain unconfirmed by the Electoral Commission as security agencies conduct risk assessments of polling locations.
