By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Parliamentary candidate, Mr. Ernest Yaw Anim, has won the Kumawu by-election in the Ashanti region.
The counting of ballots in all 75 polling centres put Mr. Anim in the lead. The NPP candidate garnered more votes than his competitors.
Mr. Anim polled 15,260 of the valid votes cast, representing 70.91%, with the National Democratic Congress’ candidate, Kwasi Amankwaa, and the two independent candidates trailing.
NDC’s Kwesi Amankwaa secured 3,719 votes, representing 17.28%, while Kwaku Duah (one) polled 2,478, representing 11.52%. Kwaku Duah (two) managed a paltry 62 votes, representing 0.29%.
The polls were largely peaceful, watched by a heavy police presence, with the NPP and NDC deploying high-level officials as polling officials.
Kumawu has 34,800 registered voters; however, poll watchers say turnouts in by-elections are generally below par.
The NDC had vowed to wrest the seat, made vacant following the death of the NPP’s Philip Basoah, from the NPP, which has always won it since 2000.
