Kingsley Atta has been elected chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bantama constituency after defeating incumbent Fiifi Mensah by just four votes in a re-run election.

Atta secured 570 votes, or 50.2 percent, against Mensah’s 566 votes, or 49.8 percent, in Saturday’s poll at the Kumasi Cultural Centre, according to results certified by the Electoral Commission’s returning officer.

The election was supervised by Electoral Commission officials and observed by national and regional executives of the NPP.

The narrow victory was a dramatic change from the constituency’s annulled election on 12 July, when Atta defeated Mensah by 447 votes.

Atta won 714 of the 995 valid votes in the first election, representing 72.8 percent, while Mensah received 267 votes, or 27.2 percent.

The NPP’s National Steering Committee subsequently annulled the election, citing breaches of party directives and electoral regulations, and ordered a re-run.

After his latest victory, Atta thanked delegates and called for unity within the constituency ahead of the 2028 general elections.

“Today, the delegates have spoken. I am humbled by this mandate. The numbers may be different, but the task ahead is the same,” he said.

“We cannot afford to go into 2028 divided. I will be Chairman for all, and my door is open to everyone, including my brother Fiifi,” he added.

Mensah accepted the result and congratulated Atta and the other newly elected executives.

“I accept the verdict of the delegates in good faith. The decision has been made, and I respect it,” he said, pledging to remain committed to the party’s efforts ahead of the 2028 elections.

But Mensah said the four-vote margin reinforced his earlier concerns about the conduct of the first election.

“The outcome of today’s re-run has only confirmed what we raised from the beginning,” he said, arguing that the earlier poll had not reflected the true wishes of delegates.

The two contenders also exchanged a warm handshake and embraced after the results were declared, in a gesture Atta described as a sign of maturity and unity.

Other executives elected included Vincent Kofi Amoabeng as first vice chairman, Frank Boateng as second vice chairman, Douglas Acheampong as secretary and Kwadwo Adu as assistant secretary.

Eric Mensah was elected organiser, while Nana Boakye became youth organiser, Vivian Arthur treasurer, Josephine Ama Poma women’s organiser, Kingsford Addai communications director and Afram Tuffour Nasara coordinator.

Bantama MP Francis Asenso-Boakye congratulated Atta and urged party members to put the contest behind them.

“The time for division is over. The focus now is on unity,” he said, calling on members to rally behind the NPP’s flagbearer, Mahamudu Bawumia, ahead of the 2028 elections.

Regional and national NPP executives, as well as security officials, were present during the re-run. The MP commended delegates for maintaining peace and the Electoral Commission and security agencies for overseeing the process.

The newly elected executives are expected to assume office soon and begin reorganising the constituency and mobilising support for the party ahead of the 2028 polls.