By The acting Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahdi Gibril, has attributed the low voter turnout in the recent Ayawaso East by-election to demographic factors, perceptions surrounding the party’s primaries and allegations that emerged during the internal contest.
Fewer than 18,000 of the constituency’s nearly 50,000 registered voters cast their ballots, despite reports that the election was conducted peacefully.
Speaking on JoyNews News Desk on 4 March, Mr Gibril identified the area’s population dynamics as a key factor.
“Most of them are living in Madina, Kasoa and Adenta. That accounted for the low turnout,” he said, explaining that the dispersion of residents significantly affected participation.
He further noted that some supporters perceived the NDC’s primaries as having effectively determined the outcome in what is considered a party stronghold.
“After our primaries, many people thought that our primaries were the end of the process because it’s our stronghold. So, once you have won that one, particularly as a Member of Parliament, why do we worry ourselves to go out and vote again?” he explained.
Mr Gibril also cited allegations raised during the primaries as a third factor. Claims that voters were required to provide items such as televisions or mobile phones reportedly discouraged some constituents from participating in the by-election.
Despite the lower turnout, he said the party was satisfied with the outcome.
“However, we are okay with the numbers. If you look at the real data, it means that we have gone beyond the turnout,” he stated.
The by-election was held to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant following the death of four-term MP Naser Toure Mahama on 4 January after a period of illness at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
NDC candidate Alhaji Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed won the seat decisively, polling 10,884 votes, representing 63 per cent of valid ballots cast. His closest rival, the New Patriotic Party’s Baba Ali Yussif, secured 4,009 votes.
