Electoral disputes continue to cast a shadow over Ghana’s democratic process, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) accusing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of deliberately orchestrating confusion at polling stations during the ongoing Akwatia by-election.
The Deputy Director of Elections and Information Technology for the NDC, Rashid Tanko-Computer, leveled the accusation that the opposition party’s tactics were not only questionable but also desperate attempts to undermine the integrity of the by-election.
Tanko-Computer singled out Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, alleging that he was personally spotted pulling down posters belonging to the NDC parliamentary candidate at a polling station.
He described the alleged incident as part of an orchestrated move to disrupt what should have been a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
“The desperation of the NPP has reached a crescendo. They have said it severally that their intention is to come and cause confusion just to mar the beauty of the election today. You know they are losing the election — all indications point towards that.”
Rashid Tanko-Computer
The controversy revolves around campaign posters displayed at polling centers, a practice that has often triggered disputes between political parties during the election.
The NDC official emphasized that his party’s materials had been mounted well in advance and had not been contested for weeks until election day.
“They also have their posters in other areas; nobody has touched theirs. The fact that the place has been earmarked as a polling station doesn’t mean you should go there and remove them. I am surprised this is coming from my worthy brother [Afenyo-Markin].”
Rashid Tanko-Computer
Tanko-Computer argued that political competition should remain focused on policies and candidates, not petty confrontations over posters.
He questioned why campaign materials suddenly became a problem only when voters were about to cast their ballots.
Sudden Venue Change Raises Eyebrows
Beyond the poster row, the Rashid Tanko-Computer expressed dismay over what he described as an unusual decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to convert a venue used by his party for training election agents into a polling station on the day of the by-election.
According to him, this unexpected change disrupted the NDC’s operational plans and raised questions about transparency in the electoral process.
“ The EC [Electoral Commission] has its dedicated polling stations, which are gazetted. So if a poster is there and has been there for a while, it’s not disturbing anything.”
Rashid Tanko-Computer
The abrupt re-designation of venues, Tanko-Computer added, creates room for mistrust and gives political actors the impression that the electoral playing field is being tilted in favor of one party.
While posters and polling venues may appear to be minor issues, Tanko-Computer warned that they have the potential to escalate tensions, sow mistrust among voters, and generate unnecessary fear.
“In any case, are they voting for posters today? Is it the poster that will now indicate how people should vote? What kind of mentality are we giving to Ghanaians? Just creating unnecessary tension, causing fear and panic.”
Rashid Tanko-Computer
The NDC’s concern highlights the fragile nature of Ghana’s electoral environment, where even seemingly small disputes can heighten suspicions and affect public confidence in democratic processes.
Election Integrity In Akwatia Under Scrutiny
The incident underscores the long-standing issue of election integrity in Ghana. Although the country is widely regarded as one of Africa’s strongest democracies, accusations of intimidation, manipulation, and misconduct often surface during closely contested polls.
The Akwatia by-election has now become another flashpoint in this recurring debate.
Observers note that Ghana’s political parties must do more to ensure that elections are conducted in a fair and peaceful manner.
Civil society groups have often urged both the NDC and NPP to avoid provocative acts that undermine trust in institutions such as the Electoral Commission.
As the dust settles on the by-election, the focus will shift toward whether the EC can address these grievances convincingly.
For many Ghanaians, the credibility of future elections depends not only on ballots cast but also on how disputes like these are managed and resolved.
For now, the poster incident remains a reminder that the country’s democratic process, while robust, is still vulnerable to political gamesmanship. Whether such tensions escalate or dissipate will depend on how quickly institutions step in to uphold fairness and restore calm.
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