Former Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi, has weighed in on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the recent Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, citing internal indecision and alleged voter suppression as key factors behind the party’s poor showing at the polls.
He admitted that the NPP’s communication and clarity around its participation in the rerun elections created confusion and contributed significantly to the low voter turnout.
“I must admit the party was not very decisive leading up to this, and that may have also contributed to the lower voter turnout,” he said on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV.
According to him, the delay in confirming the party’s involvement led many constituents to believe the NPP would boycott the rerun, which discouraged supporters from showing up at the polling stations.
“People thought about whether we were partaking or not. Bad news travels faster than good news; once you say you’re not going, everybody hears.
“But when you say you are going and are campaigning on the ground, then people become aware,” he explained.
Beyond the internal confusion, Dr. Adomako Kissi alleged that voter suppression tactics were employed during the election, claiming the National Democratic Congress (NDC) capitalized on intimidation to deter traditional NPP voters.
“What happened in Ablekuma North was largely voter suppression in grand style.
“The constituency has largely been an NPP stronghold, so if you’re the NDC, the best thing you can do is suppress voters by intimidation.
“This was a clear case of a voter suppression scheme or scandal,” he stressed.
The NPP’s narrow defeat in Ablekuma North was a historic one, marking the first time since 1992 that the party has lost the seat.
