Candidates battle it out for Kumawu seat today; Police issue ‘law & order’ guidelines

• May 23, 2023

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), along with two independent candidates are today Tuesday, May 23, battling it out for the Kumawu parliamentary seat. 

And the Ghana Police Service says it mapped out a plan to provide adequate security to ensure law and order.

The by-election has been necessitated by the death of the NPP Member of Parliament for the constituency, Philip Basoah, in March.

The two leading political parties are focused on winning the seat to bolster their numbers numbers in parliament and to gauge their respective campaigns towards the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. 

The NPP which originally held the seat is confident of retaining the seat despite the strong opposition by the NDC and the two independent candidates.

For instance, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has admonished NPP supporters to turn out in their numbers and vote overwhelmingly for the party’s parliamentary candidate, Ernest Yaw Anim.

Dr Bawumia noted that the government wants to show Ghana that Kumawu is NPP’s territory and that they are poised to retain the seat.

“In this by-election, we want the whole of Ghana to know that Kumawu is NPP’s territory. With love, come out in your numbers to vote for our parliamentary candidate Ernest Yaw Anim to win this by-election.”

“He’s humble, hard-working and intelligent. He will ensure Kumawu is developed. I like him a lot, let’s all come together to vote for him boom boom,” Dr. Bawumia urged

Meanwhile, the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, George Opare Addo is optimistic the party is out to surprise all and sundry by winning the Kumawu by-election.

He said NDC has worked earnestly to ensure it secures a win in the constituency.

Mr Opare Addo also stated that a win would not only shake the political landscape in the country at the moment, it would upset some political actors as well.

“There will be a surprise in Kumawu and there will be a new MP of the constituency belonging to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).”

The independent candidates, coincidentally, bear same names and dressed similarly, in kente, on the notice of poll. They initially had same symbol as well, until the EC stepped in after public condemnation, to change one. One of the two independents, who previously contested and garnered impressive numbers but lost, is wearing the dark horse tag. He also insists this is his time.

Kumawu had 34,800 registered voters as at the 2020 general elections.

Meanwhile, the EC which is organising the by-election, has assured that all necessary materials are ready for the by-election, while the police have mounted a strong presence to ensure nothing untoward happens.