A recent national opinion poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics has shed light on voter sentiment leading up to the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana. The poll, which surveyed 6,128 voters, provides valuable insights into public perception and political preferences across the country.
According to the findings, 55% of respondents expressed skepticism about the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) ability to secure victory in the upcoming presidential election and “break the eight” – a reference to the tradition of alternating power between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) every eight years. Conversely, 27% of voters believed that the NPP could defy the odds and win the election, while 18% remained undecided.
Interestingly, the poll revealed regional disparities in sentiment, with the majority of voters in the Eastern and Ashanti regions – 47% and 46% respectively – expressing confidence in the NPP’s prospects of breaking the eight-year cycle.
In terms of presidential candidates, the survey highlighted notable preferences among voters. While 60% of those who voted for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the 2020 election indicated their intention to support the NPP’s flag bearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the upcoming election, 19% expressed support for the NDC’s John Mahama. Other contenders included Alan Kyerematen of the Movement for Change (M4C) and Nana Kwame Bediako of the New Force Movement (NFM), garnering 9% and 2% of voter support respectively.
For those who voted for Mr. Mahama in the previous election, 92% expressed their intent to vote for him again, while 3% favored Dr. Bawumia, 2% supported Mr. Kyerematen, and 1% backed Nana Bediako.
The poll also assessed voter satisfaction with Members of Parliament (MPs), revealing that 35% of respondents rated their MPs’ performance as average. Only 22% considered their MPs’ performance as very good or good, while 23% deemed it poor or very poor. Additionally, 11% rated their MPs as excellent, with 10% withholding their opinion.
Looking ahead to the 2024 parliamentary elections, the poll suggested a shift in support towards the NDC, with 48% of voters indicating their intention to vote for NDC candidates compared to 34% for the NPP. This trend, according to analysts, could potentially lead to the NDC securing a majority in the next Parliament.
Despite these projections, the NPP has made significant strides in the parliamentary race following the selection of new candidates during their primaries in January 2024. The party’s efforts have narrowed the gap in voter preference, reducing the NDC’s lead from 21% to 14%.
Overall, the poll provides valuable insights into voter sentiment and political dynamics ahead of the 2024 elections. As parties gear up for campaigning and mobilization, these findings serve as a crucial gauge of public opinion and may influence strategic decisions in the lead-up to election day.
Source: Graphic Online
