Yesterday, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former President John Dramani Mahama joined the campaigning of political parties and candidates for the Assin North parliamentary seat.
Indeed, before yesterday's campaigning came to an end, the two emphasized the need for votes for their respective parties.
The Assin North by-election, which was prompted by the eviction of the National Democratic Congress' James Gyakye Quayson following a court application over his allegiance to Canada, has turned out to be too close to call in what had appeared to be a dress rehearsal for an anticipated fierce campaigning leading up to the 2024 general election.
As the two parties fight for control of the nearly evenly balanced legislature, their frantic and intense campaigning is understandably an effort to hold on to any open seat in parliament.
The two main political parties marshaled all of their human resources to the area, where many politicians have set up camp, and long convoys traveled in and out of the constituency to Assin Fosu.
Despite the fact that Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party and Quayson of the National Democratic Congress are the two front-runners in the constituency, the Liberal Party (LPG) of Ghana has a candidate in the form of Bernice Enyonam Sefenu.
Vote-buying
Some residents claimed they would vote in accordance with their conscience despite claims of widespread vote buying.
Who should we vote for? We know what's best for us, so let them do what they want, said one local voter.
"Some things are allegedly being shared, but those doing so are only giving them to those they know. A voter from Assin Praso named Egya Yaw said, "We also will do what we have to do. We will vote for the constituency's expansion.
The two leading contenders, Quayson and Opoku, are both kind and charitable.
Both of them have helped out the less fortunate people in their communities, and they both hope that those people will vote for them in return.
The election depends on the Assin Bereku factor. The capital of the district, Assin Bereku, is home to a sizable portion of the electorate. Choosing an Assin Bereku native increases a candidate's chances of winning.
Both of them have helped out the less fortunate people in their communities, and they both hope that those people will vote for them in return.
The election depends on the Assin Bereku factor. The capital of the district, Assin Bereku, is home to a sizable portion of the electorate. Choosing an Assin Bereku native increases a candidate's chances of winning.
Important aspect
The Assin Bereku factor allegedly came into play in the most recent election, which the NPP lost.
While Quayson of the NDC is from Assin Bereku, the NPP candidate from that time was from Assin Kushea, a less populated area.
However, the NPP and the NDC both chose Assin Bereku-born candidates for this by-election.
Hopes for NDC
Prof. Richard Asiedu, the NDC's Central Regional Chairman, claimed that convoys had never won elections. He emphasized that Quayson was the choice of the people and said everything was in place for the NDC to score a huge victory tomorrow.
He claimed that the people were put off by the election-related road construction work being done during the rainy season because it had worsened the condition of the roads in many rural communities in the region.
The "absymal performance" of the NPP, he claimed, was known to the populace, who would not be persuaded by the impromptu road projects.
The NPP is using legal maneuvers to impose an MP on the people, but the signs are clear that the NDC will win the seat because the people elected Gyakye Quayson in 2020.
Quayson's personality and experience could not be matched by Opoku, he claimed, and his generosity was directed toward the area's residents' well-being. He also said it was a done deal for the NDC.
Prof. Asiedu claimed that the NPP was split following the primaries, with some disgruntled individuals defecting to the NDC, and that all signs pointed to the public choosing Quayson over Opoku.
Charles Opoku of the NPP was introduced to the electorate by President Akufo-Addo, upsetting NPP dreams.
Takyi Mensah, the NPP's Central Regional Secretary, claimed that the party had enough support to win the seat because of its development initiatives and Opoku's charitable deeds throughout the district.
He noted that Opoku would benefit from the ongoing Agenda 111 hospital project, the numerous road projects, a new district assembly building, and the Astroturf.
He claimed that his various charitable endeavors and support for young people in starting businesses and acquiring employable skills in various communities would speak for him.
He claimed that Opoku had helped to erect a school building at Assin Nduaso and built a dormitory for the Assin State College.
Everything "points to the fact that NPP is winning the Assin North seat," he said, adding that he had lived in Assin North all his life and got along well with the locals.
Voter registration
In the 99 voting locations in the district, there are 41,168 voters.
Gladys Pinkrah, the Electoral Commission's Central Regional Director, said in an interview that all voting materials were prepared and accessible, and that the EC was confident the election would go smoothly.
"We are prepared on our end. We don't face any difficulties, she continued.
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