The Electoral Commission (EC) has resolved the protracted electoral dispute in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency, officially declaring Faustina Akurugu Elikplim of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the Member of Parliament-elect.
This announcement follows a contentious contest between the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which had left the outcome of the parliamentary election in limbo.
During an emergency Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Tuesday, December 31, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa confirmed the final decision, announcing that the electoral processes in the constituency had been concluded.
“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,” Jean Mensa stated.
The EC’s re-collation of results from 367 polling stations affirmed that Faustina Akurugu Elikplim secured victory with 50,967 votes, narrowly defeating the NPP’s Mike Oquaye Junior, who polled 50,669 votes.
The electoral impasse was initially sparked by discrepancies in results from three polling stations, prompting the EC to consider a rerun at the Abokobi Women’s Development Centre 2 polling station. However, with the final collation now completed, the planned rerun has been cancelled.
Jean Mensa reiterated the commission’s commitment to impartiality and upholding the democratic process.
“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 emphasized.
This declaration brings closure to the months-long uncertainty surrounding the Dome Kwabenya parliamentary seat and paves the way for Akurugu Elikplim to assume her role as the constituency’s representative in Parliament.
