As Ghana’s ninth Parliament prepares to convene on January 7, 2025, the latest developments from the Electoral Commission (EC) have further defined the composition of the legislature.
Today’s truncated re-collation exercise and declarations have added clarity to the balance of power between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) which already had an unassailable majority ahead of todays exercise.
Seat breakdown as it stands
Out of a total of 276 seats in the House:
- NPP: 89 seats (including seven newly declared today).
- NDC: 181 seats.
- Independents: 4 seats.
- Outstanding: 2 constituencies (Dome Kwabenya and Ablekuma North).
New additions for the NPP
The seven constituencies declared today were all won by the NPP, boosting its numbers from the initial 82 seats to 89. The constituencies include:
1. Obuasi East (Ashanti Region): Patrick Boakye-Yiadom retained his seat.
2. Nsawam-Adoagyiri (Eastern Region): Frank Annoh-Dompreh emerged victorious.
3. Tema Central (Greater Accra Region): Charles Forson narrowly won.
4. Ahafo Ano South West: Elvis Osei Dapaah secured the seat.
5. Ahafo Ano North (Ashanti Region): Nana Agyemang Prempeh triumphed.
6. Okaikwei Central (Greater Accra Region): Patrick Yaw Boamah retained his position.
7. Techiman South (Bono East Region): Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah won.
Challenges in outstanding constituencies
The re-collation process in Dome Kwabenya and Ablekuma North remains unresolved:
– Dome Kwabenya: Missing pink sheets for three polling stations have stalled proceedings, with both major parties unable to provide hard copies of the documents. The NPP blames disruptions during the initial collation for the loss of critical records.
– Ablekuma North: A shortfall of 31 pink sheets has made re-collation impossible, forcing the EC to defer the process.
The EC is set to decide on a course of action for the outstanding constituencies. Meanwhile, NPP’s Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called for unity and urged the NDC to accept the outcome of today’s exercise in the interest of democracy.