General News of Monday, 12 September 2016

Source: 3news.com

Don’t vote ‘skirt & blouse’ - Amissah-Arthur to supporters

Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur (M) with others Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur (M) with others

Vice Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur has admonished party supporters not to “vote skirt and blouse” in the 2016 elections adding that it could damage the chances of the NDC in retaining power.

Addressing hundreds of NDC faithfuls who had gathered at Ashaiman for the launch of campaigns of Zone 1 constituencies comprising Ada Sege, Ningo Prampram, Shai Osu Doku, Kpong Takamanso, Tema East, Tema West and Tema Central all constituencies in the Greater Accra region.

Skirt and Blouse is a term in Ghanaian politics where party supporters vote for the flagbearer of the party but not the parliamentary candidate of the same party or vice versa.

The Vice president who was the main guest of honour at the campaign launch said “Greater Accra is a very important region in Ghana, not only the capital of our country but also in the number of people who vote.

More than 2 million voters in Greater Accra. “There are 34 constituencies… As of now the NDC has 20 in parliament but in the 2012 elections there were a few places where they didn’t vote for both the president and the MP from the NDC.

“If we take the hurt from the election of our candidates into the national elections we will be making a big mistake. The big mistake is that our anger would get us to vote skirt and blouse and in the NDC we don’t wear skirt and blouse. We vote Zu for the President and Za for the parliamentary candidate.”

He further indicated that a more concerted effort is needed on the part of the supporters to retain the party in power to continue to developmental agenda of President Mahama.

Other party stalwarts who were present at the launch include the Greater Accra regional chair of the NDC, Joseph Ade Coker, National Organiser and Campaign Coordinator, Kofi Adams amongst others