Poll Predicts Second Round

The editor of the Dispatch newspaper, Ben Ephson, has disclosed that research done by his outfit has revealed that none of the parties will make the 50.1% required by the Electoral commission for a onetouch win.

He predicted a second round of balloting in the December presidential elections which would be keenly contested by the ruling NPP, NDC, PNC, CPP, DFP, DPP, IND, RPD. He said the result collated for the 230 constituency which authenticates his assertion would be published next week. He explained that it would really surprise him if his research work does not materialize. Ben said although projections can fail, his is a sure banker.

“It looks like we are heading for a re-run,” Mr Ephson told Paul Adom Okyere, host of Good Evening Ghana, a political analysis show on Accra-based Metro TV. Mr Ephson said the candidates of the two major parties, the ruling New Patriotic Party and the opposition National Democratic Congress would have to brace themselves for a second contest which will be 21 days after the first ballot. The 60-minute programme beamed with two of Ghana’s finest morning show hosts, Joy FM’s Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Peace FM’s Kwame Sefa-Kayi.

The panelists discussed issues bothering mainly on the up-coming elections and the preparation of their media house ahead of the national exercise. Mr Oppong Nkrumah raised doubts about a possible re-run in the face of recent developments in the political arena, especially the “Nduom factor” which could have somewhat shifted the balance of popular opinion. Mr Sefa-Kayi maintained that a lot had changed in the media due the elections. For the panelists, the need for a peaceful and a violent-free ballot must drive discussions and comments in the media.