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As the campaign curtain opens toward the December 7 general election, political parties have projected higher voter turnout to propel them to victory.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the People’s Convention Party (CPP), the All Peoples Congress (APC), the National People’s Convention (PNC), the Ghana Trade Union Movement ( GUM) and the Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) are looking forward to the massive turnout of voters in the elections.
In 2016, of the 15,712,499 registered voters, 10,931,071 voted, constituting a voter turnout of 68.62 percent, with around five million voters not showing up to cast their vote.
The NPP expects a voter turnout of between 75 and 80 percent at the polls this year, based on the excitement surrounding the voter registration exercise.
NPP campaign manager Peter Mac-Manu said that, based on trend analysis, compiling new records typically attracted large voter turnout in subsequent elections.
“When new voter registration is done in election years, people show up in large numbers to vote,” he said.
“We are embarking on retail campaigns, especially in our strongholds, to spark interest in the elections, so that our supporters can flock to vote for the PNP,” he added.
Mac-Manu appealed to voters to be peaceful on Election Day and avoid acts of violence and vigilantism.
High expectations
Sharing his views with the Daily Graphic, NDC Director of Communications Mr. Kakra Essamuah said that while he would not be betting on a participation percentage, the increased tension during the voter registration exercise raised expectations of that people would come to vote for the NDC.
“We look forward to increased voter turnout across the country, especially in our strongholds, to vote for the NDC for an emphatic victory,” he said.
“The Volta Region has seen how the PNP labels them as foreigners and that is why we hope that they will register their protest on Election Day with massive participation,” he added.
Surge
A serial participant in Ghana’s elections since 1992, the PNC, campaigning with the message of bringing prosperity to all Ghanaians, hopes to take advantage of the disappointment of voters from the two major political parties to surprise.
The party’s presidential candidate David Apasera, who boasts a voter turnout of 75 to 85 percent, said he was confident of victory because of the surge of support the party was enjoying across the country.
“It is no longer the biggest parties that matter; it is what the PNC brings on board that matters because the party has a lot to offer Ghanaians, ”he said.
Electric shock
The CPP also expects a stake of more than 75 percent.
Their presidential candidate, Mr. Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, who campaigns with the slogan: “High Voltage Electric Discharge”, said he was sure to surprise this election.
“We are cheering on our fans and our campaign is exciting. Many people are disappointed because they feel that democracy is not delivering the kind of results they expect.
“The electrical discharge of the high voltage comes for the NDC and the PNP in these elections,” he added.
Third force
The APC hopes to dislodge the PNP and NDC from frontline politics and become the third force.
The party’s presidential candidate, Hassan Ayariga, said he expected higher voter turnout in the elections.
He said the party was pushing its supporters to come forward in its number to vote for the APC, adding: “We certainly hope to take one of the major parties out of first place and become the third force in frontline politics “.
Desire for change
GUM National President Dr. Maxwell Awuku said the desire for change would push voters to turn out in large numbers to cast their votes.
Although he did not want to put a number on his projection, he expressed the hope that the party’s message has been well received and that his supporters will show up on election day to effect the necessary change.
“Our campaign so far has been excellent, so we hope that voters will come forward to help us make that change possible,” he said.
Domestication campaign
Sharing his perspective, GCPP presidential candidate Dr. Henry Herbert Lartey said he was confident of a greater turnout that would lead to his party’s victory.
Dr Lartey, who is campaigning under the slogan “Domestication,” said victory would go to his favor on December 7, judging by the great welcome he had received on the ground.
“It looks like victory will come my way based on what people are telling me. I hope they vote for me on election day, ”he said.
Competing parties
Twelve candidates will be on the presidential ballot. They are President Akufo-Addo of the NPP, former President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC, Mr. Christian Kwabena Andrews of the GUM, Mr. Greenstreet of the CPP, Ms. Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) and Dr. Lartey of the GCPP. .
The rest are Mr. Ayariga from the APC, Mr. Kofi Akpaloo from the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Mr. Apasera from the PNC, Ms. Brigitte Dzogbenuku from the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings from the Party National Democratic (NDP) and Asiedu Walker, independent candidate.
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