Widow Ophelia Hayford wins Mfantseman seat

After several hours of collation characterised by few misunderstandings, the wife of former Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman was declared winner of the seat by Electoral Commission (EC) at Saltpond on Tuesday morning.

The Returning Officer, Mr. Samuel Yamson declared Ophelia Mensah Hayford of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) winner over two other candidates from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Ghana Union Movement (GUM). reports Emmanuel J.K. Arthur.

She obtained 36,091 votes representing 51.83% while her close contender, NDC's James Essuon gained 32,379 votes representing 46.76%.

Hajia Alijatu Ibrahim managed only 911 votes representing 1.31%.

The Constituency has 91,134 registered voters in 36 electoral areas where 220 polling stations are located.

A total of 70,233 however cast their votes 862 of which were rejected.

In the early hours of Tuesday, near confusion erupted over pink sheet concerns but was resolved after the intervention of party elders present including the Director-General of the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA), Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng.

An obviously elated Ophelia Mensah Hayford dedicated the victory to her late husband, Ekow Quansah Hayford who was killed by armed men in October, 2020.

He was the serving member of Parliament and was seeking re-election.