NPP’s Anim wins landslide in Kumawu by-election; President Akufo-Addo congratulates him
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ernest Yaw Anim swept to a resounding victory in the Kumawu by-election yesterday. He polled 15,264 votes representing 70.91 per cent of the valid votes cast to send supporters of the ruling party in the constituency into jubilation, which travelled deep into the night.
Akwasi Amankwaa of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came a distant second with 3,727 votes (17.29 per cent) while the two independent candidates, Kwaku Duah whose symbol was a bird polled 2,478 votes representing 11.51 per cent and Kwaku Duah with the hoe as his symbol had 62 votes (0.29 per cent).
The by-election followed the passing of the former Member of Parliament for the constituency, Philip Basoah.
Top party officers
The election drew the top brass of the two leading parties to the constituency. Some of them served as polling agents for their parties.
Alleged signed pink sheet
An unexpected development came up during the by-election in the Kumawu constituency, as allegations of an already signed pink sheet surfaced at a voting centre. At the Oyoko Methodist Primary School polling station, reports said an officer was seen forcing agents to append their signatures on the sheet even before the elections began.
NDC officials suspected foul play and called for the suspension of proceedings until a regional Electoral Commission head shows up to clarify the modalities.
EC Director denies
But the Ashanti Regional EC Director, Benjamin Banor-Bio, denied the claims, stating that what happened was a mistake by the NPP agent at the polling station and that, no one was forced to sign any form.
He explained that the incident that occurred in the morning involved the signing process. Initially, the agents were instructed to sign the first portion of the form and later write their names on another form, signing against their respective names once the polls concluded.
However, he noted that the NPP agent inadvertently continued signing his portion after writing his name.
Upon bringing the issue to the attention of the EC, Mr Banor-Bio stated that the Commission promptly provided a replacement pink sheet for the affected agents.
Heavy security
There was a heavy security presence in the constituency during the polls. The District Security Committee (DISEC) identified five flash points in the constituency and left nothing to chance to ensure that the voting came off without any violence.
President congratulates winner
Moments after the Electoral Commission declared Anim winner, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo took to his social media handles to congratulate him for his emphatic victory.
He also congratulated the national, regional, constituency and polling station executives and party workers of the NPP for their outstanding work, which brought about an excellent result, which is one of the highest turnouts in a by-election in the history of the 4th Republic.
“I am confident that he ( Anim ) will make an effective representative of the people of Kumawu in Parliament.
“I congratulate further the NPP, NDC and the two independent candidates for their contribution to this positive outcome. I congratulate, also, the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission for maintaining its tradition of organizing the best elections in the 4th Republic,” the President stated.
