EC declares NDC's Faustina Akurugu Elikplim MP-elect for Dome-Kwabenya constituency

The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially declared Faustina Akurugu Elikplim, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate, as the duly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency.

This announcement, made on Tuesday, 31 December, during an emergency meeting of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), brings an end to a prolonged dispute between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the NDC over the constituency’s parliamentary election results.

Jean Mensa, the EC Chairperson, confirmed the decision, asserting that the electoral process had reached its conclusion. Today, we are pleased to announce that the proceedings and collation at the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency have come to a close. It has gone full circle, and we are convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that the outcome reflects the will of the people as expressed at the polls. Ours is not to make anybody president or MP. Ours is to ensure that our outcome and processes guarantee that the people’s choice is upheld,” she stated.

She added: I know that the candidates have been through quite a bit, but the processes must be allowed to work. I'd like to also put on record that we don't rest on our oars yet and we've burnt the midnight oil to ensure that the right thing is done. And we're pleased that we had that flash, that light-bulb moment to go down, to drill down to the ground and that has brought out the truth and the truth will be upheld. So thank you very much for your time this afternoon.

I know that the candidates have been through quite a bit, but the processes must be allowed to work. I'd like to also put on record that we don't rest on our oars yet and we've burnt the midnight oil to ensure that the right thing is done.

And we're pleased that we had that flash, that light-bulb moment to go down, to drill down to the ground and that has brought out the truth and the truth will be upheld. So thank you very much for your time this afternoon.

Following a re-collation of votes, Akurugu secured 50,967 votes, narrowly defeating the NPP’s candidate, Mike Oquaye Junior, who obtained 50,669 votes. Additional candidates, Dora Nyako and Remy Parkour Edmerson, received 220 and 302 votes, respectively. The total valid votes stood at 102,158, with 624 rejected ballots out of 102,782 votes cast.

James Zakaria Kofi, the Returning Officer for the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency, made the formal declaration in the presence of election stakeholders. “Now, with the power vested in me as the Returning Officer for the Dome-Kwabenya Constituency, and in the presence of the Returning Officer for the presidential election, I declare Madam Akurugu Faustina Elikplim as the MP-elect for Dome-Kwabenya Constituency. Thank you,” he stated.

The decision also cancels the planned re-run at the outstanding polling station in the constituency, effectively solidifying Akurugu’s victory and bringing closure to the contentious election.

With this declaration, Akurugu is set to assume her role as the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, marking a significant victory for the NDC in the constituency.

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