The voter apathy witnessed in the stronghold of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the recent by-election in Ejisu can be largely attributed to the prevailing severe economic challenges facing the nation.
Analysts suggest that the performance of the ruling government indicates a potential intense competition between the two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP.
Mussa Dankwa, Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, shared this insight during an appearance on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu.
A critical examination of the Independent candidate’s performance suggests that some NDC supporters and disaffected NPP members rallied behind him, bolstering the candidacy of Kwabena Owusu Aduomi.
In the outcome, Kwabena Boateng, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), emerged victorious in the Ejisu by-election.
Mr. Boateng secured 27,782 votes, constituting 55.8% of the total votes cast, while Mr. Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, running as an Independent Candidate, garnered 21,534 votes, representing 43.3% of the total votes cast.
Additionally, Beatrice Boakye of the Liberal Party received 140 votes, accounting for 0.3%, while Esther Osei of the Convention People’s Party received 89 votes, representing 0.2%. Independent Candidates Joseph Agyemang and Atakora Joseph secured 222 votes (0.4%) and 23 votes respectively.
The by-election was held following the demise of Member of Parliament and Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, on March 7, 2024.
The contest was notably intense, especially between Kwabena Aduomi, a former three-time NPP Member of Parliament for the constituency, who ran as an Independent Candidate.
Allegations of vote buying were leveled against Kwabena Boateng’s campaign, prompting the Electoral Commission to dismiss two temporary staff members in response to a viral video purportedly showing them accepting bribes during the Ejisu by-election.
