The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary candidate in the Akwatia by-election, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, has expressed concern that the fear of violence is discouraging eligible voters from participating in the polls.
Speaking to JoyNews after casting his ballot on Tuesday, September 2, Mr. Baidoo said rumours of unrest, often spread by people outside Akwatia, have created unnecessary panic.
“You know that when it comes to by-elections, sometimes the number is very low. This is all because of people who sit on radio stations who are not from Akwatia and keep saying that violence will happen here,” he said.
He explained that such commentary has led some residents working outside the constituency to abandon plans of travelling home to vote.
“If someone from Akwatia is working in Accra and needs to come and vote here, the person is afraid to come. Meanwhile, those who say these things are not even from this town,” he noted.
Despite the low turnout, the NDC candidate expressed optimism about his chances, particularly in his strongholds.
“The good thing is that, in my strongholds, I have seen that the votes coming from those areas are massive, so this indicates that I will win.
“I have been in this game for a long time, and the town that I come from, definitely, the votes will shoot up,” he added.
Mr. Baidoo stressed that elections should be about ideas, not violence, and urged all stakeholders to ensure peace.
“Voting should not be marred by fighting and violence. It’s about idea-sharing and how we want the country to thrive. Whoever comes out victorious, we will support that person.”
He maintained that while rumours of violence have contributed to the low voter turnout, the numbers from his strongholds give him confidence.
“Relatively, in a by-election, you could garner 5 to 10 votes, but if the votes are from 15 to 20 votes, then it means you have an idea it’s going well in your favour. So if the votes are low, it means you are in trouble.”
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