In a comprehensive analysis, the Centre for Decentralization Democracy has compiled and released data on the declared winners of the December 19 District Assembly Elections across the 261 Districts.
The report provides a detailed breakdown of the regional distribution of winners based on political affiliations.
The data, which encompasses the results from 5,445 electoral areas out of a total of 6,215, reveals that the Electoral Commission has scheduled the remaining elections for the 770 electoral areas, with 489 in the Eastern Region and 281 in the Ashanti Region, set to be conducted on Thursday, December 21, 2023.
According to the findings, pro-NDC candidates secured victory in 45.4% of the total electoral areas, pro-NPP candidates claimed 47.2%, while neutrals, independents, and candidates from other political parties collectively had 7.5% of the total electoral areas.
An earlier study conducted by the Centre highlighted the prevalence of political affiliations among District Assembly candidates. Of the 18,755 contenders, 8,846 were associated with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), and 8,474 leaned towards the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The Centre, in its investigative efforts, aimed to shed light on the impact of political affiliations on District Assembly elections, revealing that candidates strategically employed both covert and overt actions, including colour schemes in campaign materials, to convey their political allegiances.
The latest findings indicate a slightly stronger popularity of NPP-affiliated candidates, closely followed by NDC affiliates. With the remaining electoral areas concentrated in the historically political strongholds of Ashanti and Eastern Regions, where the incumbent NPP has traditionally performed well, it is anticipated that NPP affiliates may secure more victories on December 21.
The results also fuel ongoing debates about the necessity of open political partisanship in District Assembly elections.
Analysts argue that, despite national challenges, citizens may perceive government-affiliated assembly members as more effective in delivering their mandates, while opposition representatives may attribute ineffectiveness to a lack of government support.
A lingering question surrounds whether the higher success rate of the ruling government’s affiliates at the local level will translate into national support as the government positions itself for another term in office.
The upcoming elections in the Ashanti and Eastern Regions are poised to further shape the political landscape and influence perceptions of governance effectiveness at both local and national levels.