Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and John Dramani Mahama
Flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is said to be leading former President John Mahama in gaining substantial support in constituencies critical to electoral victory ahead of the December 7 elections.
A report, based on a survey conducted by Outcomes International among 977 respondents in 10 key swing constituencies across Greater Accra, Central, and Bono regions from February 10 to 25, 2024, indicates that Dr. Bawumia is ahead of the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.
According to the report, the overall performance analysis of the leading candidates reveals that Dr. Bawumia leads with 43.5% support, while John Mahama has 42.1 %.
The report also revealed that 6.9% of respondents expressed their intention to vote for other candidates, while 7.4% remained undecided during the polling period.
The findings further suggest that though these constituencies remain highly competitive for the two presidential candidates, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia takes a commanding lead ahead of John Mahama.
“From the survey report, there has been a close contest between the two leading candidates: Bawumia and Mahama. Whereas former President Mahama wins in Ablekuma Central, Adentan, Ledzokuku and Awutu Senya West while Dr. Bawumia wins in La Dadekotopon, Cape Coast North, Twifo-Atti Morkwa, Dormaa West and Jaman North,” the report said.
Meanwhile, previous polls had put John Mahama in the lead, but as the election draws closer, Dr. Bawumia appears to be closing the gap and leading, making great strides especially after unveiling a blueprint of his vision for the country.
The campaign is expected to intensify in the coming months now that the NDC has selected a running mate for John Mahama, as Ghanaians are waiting for Dr. Bawumia to announce his running mate soon in the lead up to the December general elections.
It would be recalled that a similar survey conducted by two renowned research outfits – the Centre for Sustainable African Development Initiatives (C-SADI), UK and The Outcomes International, Ghana – on the possible outcome of the flagbearership race of the governing New Patriotic Party predicted a straight win for Bawumia for the two polls on August 27 and November 4 last year, hence highly followed by many political watchers.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah