2024 elections: 63% of northern voters not influenced by religion of candidates — Poll

A new survey suggests that the majority of voters in the Northern part of Ghana will not be influenced by the religion of candidates in the 2024 general elections.

The poll, conducted by independent research firm Global InfoAnalytics, sampled voters across the Northern, North East and Upper East regions.

It found that 63% of northern voters said they were unlikely to be influenced by a candidate's religion, while 37% said religion would influence their vote.

When broken down by religion, 53% of Christians polled said religion would not be a factor in their vote, compared to 47% who said it would.

Among Muslim respondents, 67% said they would not be swayed by a candidate's faith, versus 33% who would consider religion.

"Data from the Northern region poll suggests that 63% of voters in the region are unlikely to be influenced by the religion of the candidates whilst 37% said they are likely to be influenced by their religion," said a post by Global InfoAnalytics via X on Wednesday, December 6.

The survey results contradict claims that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia's Muslim faith would earn him extra votes in northern Ghana, which has a large Muslim population, and also shift traditional NDC support toward the NPP.

The findings suggest the dominant factor for most northern voters will be political issues and track records, not religion.