The two major political parties participating in Tuesday’s by-election at Talensi in the Upper East Region, ended their campaigns on Sunday evening.
Political leaders of both parties unusually led the campaign as they addressed a thick crowd of party followers in separate areas of the constituency.
While the New Patriotic Party Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo urged voters to send a strong signal to the NDC by voting against them on Tuesday, the NDC’s President John Mahama, urged voters to return the seat which was originally for the NDC, back to the party.
He said their victory would be a dress rehearsal for the 2016 elections where he is sure the NDC would win.
The Talensi constituency by-election became necessary after the NPP Member of Parliament after was enskinned as the Paramount Chief of Tongo.
Robert Mosore snatched the seat from the NDC for the first time in the 2012 elections. The NDC had until then occupied the seat from 1992.
With the constitution barring traditional leaders from engaging in politics, the MP-turned chief had to vacate his seat.
In the last two weeks, representatives of the two main parties have been in out and out of the Talensi constituency campaigning for votes.
President John Mahama, ministers of state, MPs, NDC leaders are all in the constituency campaigning tirelessly.
The president addressed a massive rally at Tongo, the constituency capital, telling voters to return the seat to where it belonged.
He said the people should vote for B.T Baba after all his initials BT, stands for Better Talensi.
President Mahama at Talensi campaign rally
NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, his running mate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, party stalwart Alan Kyerematen, amongst many others on the NPP’s side, have also pitched camp in the constituency determined to retain the seat.
TV3’s Edward Kwabie says the NPP flagbearer asked voters to vote for the party’s candidate, Thomas Pearson Duanab to send a signal to the NDC that they are tired of their mismanagement.
Kwabie says business is also booming for dealers in party paraphernalia particularly for the NDC and the NPP due to their huge following. He adds that hotels have also cashed in on the event by increasing hotel fees.
Beyond the two main parties’ candidates, there are six other contestants bringing the number to eight. The People’s National Convention, PNC, backed by the Convention People’s Party, CPP are to be represented by Womeogo Michael Namalteng.
Others are Joseph Toatoba for the PPP, James Bambora Doubil for the New Vision Party, Yaro Bameezina Philip for the Ghana Freedom Party, Isaac Kungarzore for the UPP and Dennis Attiah Tambil for the Independent People’s Party, IPP.
By:Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/3news.com/Ghana