Greenstreet can push 2016 polls into runoff – Ephson

CPP flagbearer-elect Ivor Greenstreet could push the November presidential polls into a runoff with little effort, pollster Ben Ephson has said.

In the view of the Dispatch newspaper editor, if the wheelchair-bound politician is able to sustain his ability of connecting to voters, he will make a major impact in the national elections.

Ivor obtained a massive 1,288 votes of the 1,992 valid votes to beat his former chairperson, Samia Nkrumah who came a distant second with 579 votes in the Saturday polls of the Nkrumahist party. The others were Joseph Agyapong – 83 and Bright Akwetey 42 votes.

Speaking to Tawakalitu Braimah on the Starr Midday News Sunday, the election researcher said the victory of Greenstreet is yet another indication that the media does not win elections for candidates since Samia had greater media attention.

“...If he is able to translate his ability to connect to the people, I think that he might do very well… and if all the presidential candidates of the other smaller parties are able to get collectively, 7%, we are heading to a runoff,” he stated.

Ephson also observed that Greenstreet benefited from the decision of the party’s 2012 presidential candidate Dr. Abu Sakara to drop out of the race.

By this feat, Greenstreet has become the first physically challenged individual to contest the highest office of the land.