‘Do not disturb Suame, Ejisu, Manhyia, Tafo, Mampong, Bantama, et al; they are crucial to a 2020 NPP victory’- IMEG

Research by Institute for Monitoring Elections in Ghana have revealed that, in order for the New Patriotic Party led by H.E Nana Akufo-Addo to win the 2020 Presidential elections, it requires an undivided Ashanti bloc; at least sustaining the 80% vote the NPP secured in the 2016 elections and concerted efforts put together to increase the 2016 electoral mark requiring the “no disturbance” of some NPP constituencies of the Ashanti region namely Suame, Manhyia, Ejisu, Tafo, Bantama, Mampong, Bekwai to mention a few; in the soon to come parliamentary primaries of the NPP.

What the research findings by  IMEG described as ‘no disturbance, peaceful, smooth sail’ is relative to successful conduct of the parliamentary primaries with very minor issues capable of being resolved quickly to avert the rearing of the dreaded “independent candidates” from among unresolved issues arising from the aggressive conduct of races.

It is, as the researchers estimated, expected of the NPP that, these constituencies such as Ejisu, Suame, Mampong  Manhyia South and North, Bekwai, Bantama, Tafo, etc be free from disruption and disruptors lest it could cost the NPP a “bitter” lesson.

Reference is made to the crucial electoral year in the history of this fourth republican constitution, which is the 2008 elections, where the NPP lost to the NDC by the thinnest and slimmest of vote margin- as small as 23,000 votes was needed to drive the NPP into victory but it failed to secure it largely due to what was called voter ‘APATHY. ‘Obviously, the NPP would not want to bet on such chances again.

In that light, it is the expectations of respondents to the survey of IMEG that, the Ashanti Region parliamentary primaries is capable of being organized in a participative democratic way, adhering to all the tenets of elections and doing away with any thought of imposition of candidates on constituencies, side stepping electoral processes, needless fighting of perceived enemies from within,etc.

Indeed, “the research revealed that, the current members of parliament for these constituencies have a proven wherewithal and solid war chest to win substantial votes sufficient to make the NPP win the 2020 elections”, according to Dr Ishamel Kutu, IMEG’s secretary.

Given that the 2020 general elections would be about some seven (7) months from the end of parliamentary primaries, the NPP would have very limited time to redress issues arising from the primaries and it’s surprising that such a date was chosen against the dictates of the NPP constitution which states that parliamentary primaries be organised at least ONE (1) year before the general elections.

Source: Thepressradio.com