NPP Wins Wulensi By-election

Mr Kofi Karim Wumbei, a teacher won the Wulensi Parliamentary by-election on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), polling 8197 votes. His closest rival Mr Sadani Njigur, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate obtained 7303 votes. Mr Daniel Okpanul Niwubni, the PNC candidate had 319, Mr Dawuda Mumuni candidate for the DPP obtained 227 votes, Alhaji Ziblila Musah, an independent candidate secured 75 votes, Mr Inusah Natogmah, EGLE, 56, while Mr Peter Maagan Oggah, an independent had 53 votes. Announcing the results at Wulensi on Tuesday an official of the Electoral Commission said 16,798 out of the 28,899 registered voters cast their ballot, representing a 58 percent voter turnout. The official said there were 16,230 valid votes, while 568 votes were rejected. Commenting on the outcome, Dr Josiah Aryeh, General Secretary of the NDC said his party had lost the election against the background of vote rigging, vote buying and intimidation. He said a day before the election the government started an electrification project in some villages in the Wulensi Constituency, while President Kufuor nominated a Komkomba as the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, a situation, which he said was "a total debasement of the country's democracy". He said, "This is not the way the country must move forward". Dr Aryeh therefore urged Ghanaians to ensure that the country's young democracy is strengthened and sustained. Mr Dan Botwe, General Secretary of the NPP on his part, expressed happiness for his party's victory, which he attributed to hard work. He said, "I an very happy and I thank all the party's national officers and members for their diverse contributions, which have helped our electoral victory. Mr Botwe said the NPP executive had always restrained the party members in the face of acts of provocation and intimidation from the NDC during elections. He alleged that it was rather the NDC who had been buying votes. Mr Botwe expressed optimism that the NPP would win the Gomoa East and Navrongo Central by-election.
MPS: Northern Region