Asawase Constituency Faces Unprecedented Voter Apathy Amidst Intra-Party Strife.

Asawase: The Asawase constituency, a pivotal stronghold for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region, is witnessing an unexpected wave of voter apathy as both the NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) grapple with supporter disinterest in the upcoming elections. This unusual trend could significantly impact the December parliamentary elections in this historically active political arena.According to Ghana News Agency, the traditional enthusiasm among supporters in the densely populated constituency, known for its diverse demographics of Northern tribes and Muslim communities, has notably dwindled. This shift in voter sentiment has been attributed to unresolved intra-party conflicts and factionalism within the local branches of both major political parties.Incumbent MP Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak of the NDC is reportedly at odds with his constituency chairman, Mar Faisal Dauda, and his primary challenger, Mr. Masawudu Mubarak. Similarly, NPP candidate Mr. Manaf Ibrahim face s internal divisions, primarily among supporters of previous candidates Alhaji Alidu Seidu and Alhaji Ali Suraj, a key figure in Bawumia's campaign team in Asawase.The longstanding issues have significantly dimmed the vibrant campaign activities that have historically characterized Asawase, a constituency carved from the former Oforikrom constituency in 2004 and considered a sacred seat for the NDC. With over 100,000 registered voters and 215 polling stations, the outcome in Asawase is crucial, especially given its unique position surrounded by NPP strongholds.Despite the NPP's success in the presidential elections in 2016, where Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo secured more votes than NDC's John Dramani Mahama, Alhaji Muntaka has consistently retained his parliamentary seat. In 2020, Muntaka widened his victory margin, further solidifying the NDC's hold on the parliamentary seat, even as the NPP hopes to leverage their new Muslim candidate from the North in the upcoming elections.This election cycle feature s three additional candidates: Ms. Naomi Nsor from the Liberal Party of Ghana (LP), Mr. Issah Kompo of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), and independent candidate Alhassan Rafick. Despite their varied backgrounds and affiliations, all candidates express confidence in their chances, leaving the ultimate decision to the voters of Asawase.As the election date approaches, the NPP remains optimistic about its chances, particularly due to its candidate's cultural and religious alignment with the constituency's demographics. Meanwhile, the voters of Asawase find themselves in a critical position to influence the outcome of this year's elections, as political parties ramp up their campaigns in anticipation of a closely contested race.