Assin North By-elections: 42% of voters induced by NPP rather voted for James Gyakye Quayson – Report

A poll after the Assin North by-election suggests voters who received inducements from the NPP still voted overwhelmingly for the opposition NDC candidate James Gyakye Quayson.

According to the exit poll, shared on Twitter by independent research firm Global InfoAnalytics on Monday, July 10, 96% of voters witnessed some form of vote buying during the campaign.

The poll noted that nearly all voters, 92% said they personally benefited from such inducements.

While 72% received inducements from both NDC and NPP, 15% said they got theirs from NPP alone.

However, of those who were induced by the NPP, a sizable 42% still voted for Gyakye Quayson compared to 58% for Charles Opoku of the NPP.

"But for those who got their inducement from the NPP, only 58% voted for Charles Opoku while 42% voted for James Gyakye Quayson," the report said.

The poll results show that young voters who had indicated support for the NPP largely failed to turn out to vote.

Meanwhile, older voters who turned up in higher numbers voted massively for the NDC.

The poll added that Gyakye Quayson also reversed an earlier deficit among Akan voters, who made up the largest ethnic group and won them by 10%.

In closely contested seats, factors other than financial incentives, the research found may be more decisive for voters.

Mr. James Gyakye Quayson polled over 56% of the total vote cast at the end of the June 27 by-election which made him reclaim the seat he lost over issues of dual citizenship.