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Ernest Yaw Anim of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) emerged victorious in the Kumawu Constituency by-election, securing 15,264 votes, which accounted for 70.91% of the total votes. This triumph ensured the NPP kept its seat.
Anticipated as a closely contested election because of the significance attached to the seat by both the ruling NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kwasi Amankwaa, the NDC candidate, lagged far behind with 3,727 votes, representing 17.29%.
Even before the official announcement of the collated results, NPP supporters took to the streets in exuberant celebration, content with the local outcome and confident that Ernest Anim, an economist and chartered accountant, would be their representative in parliament.
The other two contenders in the by-election, Kwaku Duah, failed to pose a substantial challenge, collectively gathering a mere 2,540 votes or 11.8%.
With the delicate balance of power in parliament between the two major parties, the Kumawu seat held significant importance and positioned the poll as a potential game-changer for both parties. Amid concerns that the election could escalate into violence, extensive police presence was observed. However, apart from minor disputes at some polling centers that were resolved swiftly, the by-election remained remarkably peaceful. The center became vacant following the passing of Philip Basoah, the NPP’s Member of Parliament for the area.
Although the NPP had consistently secured victory in the seat since 2000, the party left little to chance. It ensured that prominent party figures toured the constituency to rally support for their candidate. Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and presidential aspirants Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto and Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen visited the constituency to campaign and garner backing.
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Source: Omanghana.com
