Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has disclosed that the number of votes recorded by the candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Kumawu by-election is a significant reduction in the overall votes in the party’s stronghold.

According to him, the election result is a great sign from the good people of Kumawu. He revealed that although the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate may not have succeeded in flipping the seat, he is proud that, as a collective, spearheaded by the National Chairman and General Secretary of the party, they have had the opportunity to test the party’s reviewed electoral operational procedures, including monitoring, party agent selection and training, collation, and transmission of results.

“Judging from the results, the ruling NPP has clearly recorded a significant reduction in the overall votes in their strong hold, and for me, that is a great sign from the good people of Kumawu.”
John Dramani Mahama

Mr Mahama expressed his felicitations to the people of Kumawu for the peaceful conduct of Tuesday’s parliamentary by-election. Additionally, he expressed his gratitude to the people and the enthusiasm demonstrated when he led a delegation from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to campaign for the party’s candidate, Kwasi Amankwah.

“I am very grateful. 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.”
John Dramani Mahama

Despite the party’s loss, the former President explained that the gains made by the NDC 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.

Mahama congratulates IGP and police

Meanwhile, the NDC flagbearer has equally congratulated the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and his men and women for their assistance in ensuring a peaceful conduct of the polls. He noted that the conduct of the police personnel gives the NDC confidence for the future that they will continue to bear true allegiance to the state and not to any political party.

“To the Electoral Commission, you are once again reminded that a credible election depends as much on the persons you recruit and appoint as presiding and other officers as much as it depends on the collaboration with the agents and representatives of the political parties.”
John Dramani Mahama

Commenting on the electoral process, Mr Mahama lamented that many of the infractions observed should not have occurred. He stated that the party’s monitoring teams that ensured the early detection of these infractions will however be looking forward to engaging further to ensure that these issues are definitely dealt with and corrective measures taken ahead of any other election.

“Thank you to the team from the 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.”
John Dramani Mahama

To the NDC candidate, Kwasi Amankwah, who lost the election, Mr Mahama revealed that he can count on the party for the utmost support to enhance the gains of the NDC in the main election in 2024.

All in all, he highlighted that Kumawu has had positive outcomes for the NDC, and all must apply lessons learned speedily even as the NDC heads towards the pending Assin North by-election.