Shootings, Killing, Arrests: All You Need To Know About How Voting In 2024 Election Went Down
The ninth election of Ghana’s Fourth Republic has been a fairly eventful one, with a number of incidents characterizing what has been a relatively smooth election process.
The elections commenced in most polling centres at 7:00 AM and closed at 5:00 PM, with Ghanaians casting their votes to decide the direction of the country for the next four years.
In case you missed out on the elections, GhanaWeb brings you the major events that marked the voting process in all 276 constituencies across the country.
Voting commenced on time, albeit delays in some polling stations
As expected, voting at most of the polling centers in the country commenced at exactly 8:00 AM, with some Ghanaians waking up to queue as early as 3:00 AM to vote.
GhanaWeb reports that some voters in the Yagaba Kubori constituency were up by 3:00 AM to exercise their civic responsibility.
Adongo under fire
The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, came under fire after being accused of neglecting some voters in Kumasi.
Some voters who spoke to the press accused him of failing to honor his promise of facilitating their transportation from Kumasi to Bolgatanga to vote.
Bawumia casts his vote in Walewale
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, cast his vote at Walewale in the North East Region.
The Vice President expressed confidence in winning the polls and urged Ghanaians to go out and vote.
Polling booths vandalized
Confusion broke out at the Ansarudeen Islamic School polling station after the presiding officer proposed a reduction in the number of polling agents.
According to a report by UTV, the officer made the request due to limited space for officials at the polling station.
The situation escalated into a physical altercation, with polling booths being knocked down during the clash at the polling station in the Okaikoi Central Constituency.
Security personnel were deployed to the scene to restore calm.
Ursula’s food wahala
A video emerged of some voters in the Ablekuma West constituency hooting at a food truck that was coming to the center.
While the voters believed that it was an attempt by the incumbent MP, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, to influence them, the MP later explained that the food was meant for party agents who were undertaking party duties at the various polling centers in the constituency.
Soldiers spotted at polling centers
Ahead of the polls, the Ghana Armed Forces issued a statement, promising Ghanaians that there would be no military presence at any of the polling stations.
However, some army officers were spotted at polling centers in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions.
In the case of the Ashanti Region, the soldiers were seen fighting with an executive of the Obuasi East NDC.
Arrest for possession of ballot papers
A number of people were arrested for various criminal infractions during the voting process across the country.
In the Ashanti Region, a man was arrested for wielding 76 ballot papers. An Electoral Commission official was also arrested for issuing ballot papers that did not have the photo of Bawumia.
Clash at Asawase
There was a clash between supporters of the NPP and NDC in the Asawase Constituency after the parliamentary candidate of the NPP, Manaf Ibrahim, decided to queue up and vote instead of the usual practice of just walking to the EC officials to go through the process.
The NPP PC was forced out of the constituency as the NDC supporters maintained that they were not going to allow him to join the queue.
Clashes between party officials and EC officials
A National Democratic Congress (NDC) official got into a heated exchange with an Electoral Commission officer over alleged pre-stamped ballot papers.
In a video shared by Metro TV, the NDC official questioned why the ballot box containing ballot papers for the Bantama Constituency in the Ashanti Region was covered.
There were a number of clashes as well in the Chini-Paga, Awutu Senya East, and Odododiodio constituencies.
John Mahama votes in Bole
John Mahama cast his vote in the Bole constituency. Prior to casting his vote, John Mahama visited the grave of his father to offer prayers and seek support.
He later expressed his impression with the process and commended the EC for a smooth process so far.
Vote buying incidents
A member of Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings’ team had to be chased out of a polling center over an alleged attempt to bribe an official of the EC.
In the Krowor constituency, an agent of the NPP was arrested for allegedly offering money to voters.
One dies in shooting incident
One person has been confirmed dead after a shooting incident at Nyankpala in the Tolon Constituency in the Northern Region.
The police have arrested four people in connection with the incident.
Gunshots in Kasoa
Gunshots were heard at the Kasoa Zongo in the Awutu Senya East constituency in the Central Region.
The police have declared one person wanted for allegedly being the one who fired the shot.
