Dome-Kwabenya: EC affirms NDC’s Elikplim Akurugu as winner

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has officially confirmed Faustina Elikplim Akurugu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Dome-Kwabenya constituency following the conclusion of the vote count, including results from the contested Abokobi Women’s Development Center 2 polling station.

The final tally saw Akurugu receiving 50,967 votes, narrowly defeating her closest rival, Mike Ocquaye Jnr. of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who garnered 50,669 votes. The margin of victory, a mere 298 votes, made this one of the closest races in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The race took a dramatic turn when the EC announced plans to re-run the election at the Abokobi Women’s Development Center 2 polling station, where irregularities had been noted. However, the NDC vehemently rejected this move, arguing that Akurugu had already secured a legitimate victory based on the total votes tallied across the constituency. The party contended that the re-run would be unnecessary and could undermine the will of the voters.

In a highly anticipated press conference held in Accra on Tuesday December 31,2024 EC Chairperson Jean Mensa clarified the situation after which the Returning Officer for Dome-Kwabenya confirmed that after adding the contested results from the Abokobi polling station, the final tally showed Akurugu as the clear winner. Dome-Kwabenya Returning Officer stated, “NDC’s Faustina Elikplim Akurugu polled 50,967 votes, while her closest contender, Mike Ocauaye Jnr. of the NPP, garnered 50,669 votes. Therefore, Faustina Elikplim Akurugu remains the MP-elect for Dome-Kwabenya.”

This announcement brought clarity and finality to the election results, allowing the NDC and Akurugu’s supporters to celebrate her victory. Despite the narrow margin, Akurugu’s win is a significant achievement in the highly competitive political landscape of Dome-Kwabenya, a constituency known for its intense electoral battles.

Akurugu’s victory marks another milestone for women in Ghanaian politics, further strengthening the NDC’s presence in Parliament. Her win is expected to bring a renewed focus on issues affecting her constituents, particularly in areas of education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

The contentious moments during the election, particularly the dispute over the Abokobi Women’s Development Center 2 polling station, have raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process in some areas. However, with the final confirmation by the EC, attention is now turning to the next steps for the elected MP as she prepares to take office and represent Dome-Kwabenya in the coming parliamentary term.

Faustina Elikplim Akurugu believes her victory represents not just a personal achievement, but also a triumph for her supporters who have long campaigned for a voice in Parliament that resonates with the challenges they face in their daily lives. This is not a re-declaration but affirmation that I’m the MP-ELECT for Dome-Kwabenya”.