Kumawu victory for NPP reflects dominance since 1996

Kumawu victory for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Ernest Yaw Anim in the by-election is a repeat of the party’s dominance in the constituency and Ashanti Region.

The economist and chartered accountant polled 15,264 votes representing 70.9% of valid votes cast in the Kumawu victory to be elected as the new Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumawu Constituency.

Kwasi Amankwaa, the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party obtained 3, 723 votes amounting to 17.29% of valid votes.

Two independent candidates with the same name Kwaku Duah secured 2,478 votes (11.51%) and 62 votes of 0.28% respectively.

21,527 total valid ballots cast

The Kumawu Constituency Returning Officer who declared the results said total valid ballots cast stood at 21,527.

204 rejected ballots

According to him, total rejected ballots is 204 while total votes cast is 21, 731.

Kumawu victory

The seat became vacant following the death of NPP’s Member of Parliament for the area, Philip Basoah.

The election was largely peaceful, with heavy police presence as NPP and NDC deployed high-level officials as polling agents.

The election was fraught with accusations of vote buying and an already signed pink sheet at polling centres, although the Electoral Commission described the document as fake.
There were pockets of disagreements from some of the polling centres which were resolved.

2^nd by-election in Kumawu

This is the second by-election in Kumawu in the fourth Republic.

2002 by-election

In 2002, Reo Addai Basoah died after a short illness.

Following his death, there was a by-election in the constituency which saw the election of Yaw Baah.

Reo Addai Basoah wins 1996(49.6%)

The results for 1996 parliamentary election are Reo Addai Basoah of NPP-15,025 (49.6%), Jargisu Ibrahim of NDC–9,354 (30.9%) and Ernest Boakye Yiadom of PNC–532(1.8%).

Reo Addai Basoah wins 2000(57.8%)

In 2000, Reo Addai Basoah of NPP polled 13,554 (57.8%) votes to retain the seat.

The others are Opanin Kwame Adu of NDC-6,057(25.8%), independent candidate Kingsford O. Boateng-3,129(13.4%), Bannor B. Augustine of NRP-273(1.2%), Okra Frempong of CPP-186(0.8%), James Yaw Owusu of PNC 138(0.6%) and Osei Bonsu Thompson of UGM-0.4%).

Reo Addai Basoah died in 2002, Yaw Baah wins by-election

In 2002, Reo Addai Basoah died after a short illness and by-election in the constituency was won by NPP’s Yaw Baah.

He secured 13,664 votes representing 76.85% of valid votes cast.

Richard Martin Osei of NDC secured 3,731 votes, Rose Aboagye of DPP obtained 185 votes, Yaw Opoku Mensah of GCPP polled 124 votes while James yaw Owusu got 75 votes.

Yaw Baah retains seat in 2004(70%)

For 2004 elections, NPP’s Yaw Baah polled 19,223 (70%) votes to win the seat again for the party.

Other contestants were George Amankwaa of NDC-6,680(20.7%), Kofi Adu Poku of CPP-1,831(6.7%), independent candidate Patrick Osei Aboagye-556(2%) and Yaw Opoku Mensah of GCPP-187(0.7%).

Yaw Baah wins again in 2008(56.38%)

In respect of 2008 general elections, Yaw Baah retained the seat for NPP with 15,217 representing 56.38% of valid votes cast.

The other competitors were independent candidate Dominic Oteng-7,120(26.38%), Ohene Kwasi Agyemang of NDC-4,278(15.85%), Kofi Adu Poku of CPP-199 (0.74%) and Yaw Opoku Mensah of DFP-174(0.04).

Philip Basoah wins 2012(68.96%)

In 2012, Philip Basoah of NPP obtained 18,858 votes representing 68.96% to again win the seat.

The other contestants are Asimah Samuel of NDC- 4,142(15.15%), Independent candidate Dominic Oteng-3,991(14.59%), Collins Kumi Boateng of PPP-301(1.1%), Asante Isaac of PNC-53(0.19%), Yaw Opoku Mensah of NDP and John Agyeman Badu had zero votes.

Philip Basoah wins again in 2016

For 2016, Philip Basoah of NPP obtained 21,794(78.17%), Emmanuel William Amoako of NDC-5,899(21.16%) and Opoku Kyei Clifford of CPP-188(0.67%).

Philip Basoah retained in 2020(51.11%)

In 2020, Philip Basoah again retained the seat with 14,960(51.11%), Independent candidate Duah Kwaku got 11,698(39.96%), Bernard Opoku Marfo of NDC secured 2,439(8.33%) and Nana Amoako of GUM had 174(0.59%).