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Former President John Mahama has stated that the performance by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the just ended Kumawu by-election in the Ashanti region is significant.
According to him, the increased number of votes its candidate Kwasi Amankwah garnered in the poll, 1,284 actual votes, represents an increase of 52.6% over their 2020 performance.
Mr. Amankwah lost his quest to occupy the vacant Kumawu seat to Ernest Yaw Anim of the NPP who amassed 15, 264 (70.91%) votes as against his 3,723 (17.29%).
Reflecting on the outcome of the polls Mr Mahama termed as a significant development the NDC’s performance despite in the face of the deliberate vote buying undertaken by the NPP during the election.
“That enthusiasm was aptly demonstrated in the increased number of votes our candidate garnered in the poll – 1,284 actual votes representing an increase of 52.6% over our 2020 performance.
“That is significant, especially in the face of the deliberate vote buying undertaken by the NPP, even at the polling stations, and the deceit of the people with asphalt roads, and the fact that the constituency has historically been an NPP stronghold,” he added.
Mr. Mahama who leads the NDC in the forthcoming 2024 general elections as flagbearer, said judging from the results, the ruling NPP has clearly recorded a significant reduction in the overall votes in their strong hold, and for that reason is a great sign from the good people of Kumawu.
He pointed out that the NDC may not have succeeded in flipping the seat from the NPP, but he remains proud that as a collective, spearheaded by its national executives, they have had the opportunity to test its reviewed electoral operational procedures, including monitoring, party agent selection and training, collation, and transmission of results.
“All in all, Kumawu has had positive outcomes for us, and we must apply lessons learned speedily even as we head towards the pending Assin North by-election,” John Dramani Mahama added.
The former president thus congratulated Kwasi Amankwah for his performance at the poll and noted that he is adamant the MP hopeful can count on the party for the utmost support to enhance the gains of the NDC in the main election in 2024.
He concluded by extending his heartfelt gratitude to the NDC’s “branches, constituency, region, national, and the many selfless members of our party who were in Kumawu to assist in various ways towards the improved outing in this by-election.”
