The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to retain the Kumawu constituency seat in the Ashanti region in a by-election tomorrow.
The Electoral Commission (EC) set May 23, 2023, as the date for the by-election following the death of the governing party’s Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Philip Basoah.
NPP’s candidate for the election is Ernest Yaw Anim who will be facing Kwasi Amankwah of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and two independent candidates both named Kwaku Duah.
In the 2020 parliamentary election, NPP’s Philip Basoah won the seat with 14,960, representing 51.11% of the total valid votes cast and one of the independent candidates who said to be a renegade from the governing party, Kwaku Duah is also contesting in the election.
He obtained 11,698 in 2020, representing 39.96% of the valid votes cast.
Ahead of the polls, bigwigs of the two main political parties are in Kumawu to woo votes for their respective candidates.
Tensions are high as the political parties fight tooth and nail for the coveted parliamentary seat.
Former President John Dramani Mahama last Friday led the NDC team to the constituency and called on the electorate to vote massively for their candidate. The NPP other was led by President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia with his wife Samira.
All the NPP bigshots were also in Kumawu to attend the final funeral rites of Philip Basoah on Saturday.
The party yesterday held a massive rally with all the speakers calling on voters in the constituency to turn out in their numbers to vote for Ernest Yaw Anim for NPP to retain the seat.
Earlier on Friday, Vice President Bawumia and Second Lady Samira Bawumia took to the roads in Kumawu ahead of the by-election to canvass votes for the NPP parliamentary candidate.
The Vice President and his entourage were hopeful of swaying voter opinion in the constituency for NPP’s total victory.
The NPP’s leadership made their presence known, hitting the ground running by visiting churches and mosques to gain support for their candidate.
They also took time to visit traditional authorities in the area, in an effort to gain their trust and support.
In a statement, the Vice President expressed confidence that the NPP’s campaign efforts would yield positive results.
He urged the people of Kumawu to vote for the NPP, stating that the party had their best interests at heart.
The winner of the polls will be tasked with representing the people of Kumawu in parliament, and will be expected to work towards the development of the constituency.
