According to them, this is because the NDC is losing its grip in key swing constituencies in the country.

[contextly_sidebar id=”CwdN5qwYb6qMsjs0xRNofPuOclZ0hAtl”]The political scientists’ comments followed a 3-month long election research in some key constituencies in various regions of the country.

Dr. Isaac Owusu Mensah, a lecturer at the Department in an interview on Eyewitness News said the research focused on twenty-four (24) swing constituencies.

“In the swing constituencies, our findings showed that the NDC is losing its strength in the constituencies and are losing it to the NPP,” he said.

He noted that, in the Greater Accra Region, the NDC had lost some support in areas such as Madina Zongo, and that  suggests the gap between the parties will be close in the upcoming polls.

“For the National data, the NPP is in the lead with 49.4% of the votes from the swing constituencies.. per our findings, the NPP can win the elections in the first round depending on how well it mobilizes its resources. Even if they don’t win in the first round, they will be in the lead,” he said.

‘NDC’s Zanetor will win Klottey Korle seat’

Dr. Owusu stated that, although the research was not emphatic on the chances of parliamentary candidates, its projections showed that the NDC’s Zanetor Rawlings will win the Klottey Korle parliamentary seat.

He added that “for Madina, NPP has taken Madina,” adding that, the NPP will have majority seats in the next parliament.

‘NDC cannot get 1.5 million votes in Ashanti’

The findings said the NDC’s planned 1.5 million votes in the Ashanti Region was impossible; but could still maintain about 30 per cent of the total votes cast.

Dr. Isaac Owusu Mensah noted that, although he believes the research captures the realities on the grounds ahead of the elections, the various candidates and parties involved can affect the dynamics if they effectively mobilize and deploy the resources to secure their victory.

Scientific polls show I’ll win on Dec. 7 – Mahama

This comes barely a day after President Mahama said various independent scientific polls clearly show he will win the elections in December.

The President failed to mention which organizations conducted the polls, but said the polling results reflect the feedback from his campaign activities across the country.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post NPP could win first round – Legon Political scientists predict appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

With barely 48 days to Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary election in December, the EC has been dragged before court to respond to a number of challenges by some individuals and political parties over the disqualification of some presidential candidates and other issues.

[contextly_sidebar id=”aPCYpiBj260H7UraO1k1e0m7yPF1q3Cl”]Some of the court actions have forced the EC to alter its electoral processes, raising fears it may not be able to successfully hold the polls.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday [October 26], Prof Gyampo said he was worried the cases may completely derail the EC’s focus in holding the elections without fail.

He said although the plaintiffs have the right to seek redress in court, their actions have the potential of affecting the electoral process.

He said, “I am a bit worried but at the same time, it is democracy and we beleive in rule of law so there is the need to follow due processes. It is worrying because the EC may lose focus on what it is supposed to be doing.. It is only natural that if you are saddled with a lot of court cases that you have to put representation and defend yourself and all that, naturally, you may lose focus a little.”

“I would prefer that some of these things are resolved behind the scenes. They use [ADR] Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolved them,” he added.

He noted that despite the assurance from the Chief Justice that action will be expedited on all election-related cases to ensure the elections are held on December 7, the entire process will be negatively affected when the court cases become tedious.

“We are in a time where we are supposed to be discussing the various policies positions of the political parties so people can vote on issues and based on that demand accountability and ensure that what people tell us that they would do, they really get themselves committed to them. It is not the time to be discussing litigation and all that but unfortunately, this is what has happened,” Prof Gyampo said.

‘Judiciary up to the task’

Meanwhile, the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) has said it is optimistic Ghana’s judiciary can expedite action on the various election-related lawsuits to ensure the country holds its general elections in December as expected.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, the Executive Director of IDEG, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey said the judiciary is up to the task and able to deliver on their mandate with the various measures it has adopted to fast-track the court processes.

Mr Akwetey noted that while the court processes are important, the December 7 election date must not be tampered with.

Some of the election-related cases being heard include those seeking the reinstatement of some disqualified aspirants in the upcoming presidential elections and those seeking an order to compel the EC to announce results of special voting on the same day it is held.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post EC might lose focus over numerous court cases – Gyampo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.