The National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo is optimistic the party would surprise all and sundry by winning the upcoming the Kumawu by-election.

Speaking on Citi FM, Mr Opare Addo said NDC has worked earnestly to ensure it secures a win in the constituency.

He also stated that a win would not only shake the political landscape in the country at the moment, it would upset some political actors as well.

“There will be a surprise in Kumawu and there will be a new MP of the constituency belonging to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).”

The Youth Organiser was of the view that the electorates will focus on “how this government has treated people when it comes to development, and the people are going to treat them based on that and vote accordingly. Yesterday, the young men of Kumawu were shouting that if not for the by-elections, the NPP would not have come to the constituency, and so they will vote against the NPP for treating them badly.”

“Yesterday, they bussed people from all parts of the Ashanti Region and these people were given stipends and yesterday, you could count about 200 Land Cruisers in town in an attempt to influence the vote tomorrow.”

Touching on claims that the NDC is sponsoring an independent candidate, Kwaku Duah, in an attempt to split the votes to the benefit of the NDC Mr Opare Addo dismissed the claims

“Kweku Duah is not an NDC member and the only NDC person in the race is Kwesi Amankwah, and he has been working in the constituency for years, and he is a known person we are hoping that he will win the seat for the party.”

He died at the age of 53 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Following his death, Parliament notified the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct a by-election in the Kumawu Constituency.

In accordance with Article 112 (5) of the Constitution, as amended, the Electoral Commission (EC) set May 23, 2023, for the election.

The Notice of Poll published by the Electoral Commission ahead of the election indicates that there are four candidates contesting for the vacant position.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Ernest Yaw Anim, is the number one on the ballot paper; the National Democratic Congress candidate, Kwasi Amankwa, takes the second spot, while the third and fourth positions are for two independent candidates who bear the same name, Kwaku Duah.

Notable personalities including NDC flagbearer John Mahama, Vice President Dr Mahmudu Bawumia and Alan Kyerematen were all in the Kumawu constituency over the weekend to support their candidates ahead of the poll.