Ben Ephson’s pre-election polls against Hon James Gyakye Quayson Hits The Rock.
Hononourable James Gyakye has emerged victorious in the Assin North by-election with a resounding victory over NPP Charles Opoku in a heated election irrespective of Ben Ephson’s pre-election polls
Ben Ephson earlier on backed Charles Opoku, the New Patriotic Party’s candidate in the Assin North by-election to get one over James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress.
The pollster in a Joy News interview, held that the election is quite close but believes that the determining factors favor the New Patriotic Party.
Laying the premise for his prediction of victory for the NPP, the Daily Dispatch Editor, Ben Ephson pointed out that Gyakye Quayson won the 2020 elections largely because his place of origin is Assin Bereku.
According to Ben , with Assin Bereku holding the largest number of voters within the constituency, Gyakye Quayson had the advantage of his own people voting massively for him.
The situation is however different as Charles Opoku who is the NPP’s candidate also hails from the town.
Ephson also argued that the ‘sympathy votes’ campaign which was being championed by the NDC has been dealt a blow following the decision of the Accra High Court to allow Gyakye Quayson to campaign whiles his criminal trial is ongoing.
“Both parties want this seat so badly. For Quayson the sympathy votes that he would have gotten have dropped a bit because some NDC people were trying to influence the swing voters that when there is a by-election, roads get done and monies come from both parties so let’s vote for Quayson so that if he loses, then we will have another chance for another by-election but the court asking to go back to the campaign has dimmed his chances.
Despite the usual statistics and projections from Ben Ephson, the Daily Dispatch Chief Editor, it seems James Gyakye Quayson’s victory has surpassed Charles Opoku more than the over 3000 vote differences he amassed over the then Abena Durowaa, the 2016 Parliamentary candidate.
According to the certified results from the Assin North by-elections as projected by TV3, Charles Opoku, the defeated candidate obtained 42.15% as against James Gyakye Quayson who polled 57.56% to carry the day
The People of Assin North in the Central region of Ghana have weighed into the Gyakye Quayson controversy with their verdict. Unconfirmed reports at the time of going to press indicate a lot of rebel votes in this crunch by-election.
In hacking down the deadwood, the people are alleged to have given the NDC candidate a better endorsement than his previous results prior to the legal tussle that eventually led to his expulsion as a parliamentary candidate.
The Assin North by-election had given the people the opportunity to pass the ultimate verdict on the Gyakye Quayson saga, consistent with democratic provisions that the people are the popular sovereigns in civilized systems.
Mr. Quayson was flagged down over his alleged dual citizenship. He then renounced his Canadian citizenship before facing another ballot.
To the NPP Candidate, Charles Opoku, better luck next time. Meanwhile, political analysts are predicting that the Assin North exercise gives a mild insight into the next general elections in 2024.
