A Bono regional communicator for the opposition New Patriotic Party, Asare Baffour, has attributed the low turnout of the Ayawaso East by-election to what he described as economic hardship under the administration of President John Mahama.

He said the turnout was not encouraging when compared to the number of votes recorded in the 2024 parliamentary elections that sent the area’s Member of Parliament to Parliament.

Reacting to the low turnout of the Ayawaso East by-election in an interview with Ama Konadu, the hostess of the Sunyani-based Sompa FM ‘Adea Akye Abia’ morning show, Mr. Baffour said the rising utility costs, particularly electricity and water bills, have discouraged many residents from participating in the electoral process.

Mr. Baffour attributed the low participation to widespread public disenchantment, citing economic hardships under the current administration.

“People were not motivated enough to go and vote. Things are really hard now, looking at the amount people are paying for electricity and water under President Mahama’s administration. Nothing will be motivating them to go cue and vote,” he explained.

Despite the outcome, he acknowledged that the constituency has historically been a stronghold for the NDC, saying, “There’s nothing about the seat; it has been an NDC seat since. But we tried as a political party to go and win it, just that things couldn’t go as planned.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Baffour concluded with a call to action for party members and supporters to take part in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

“I am pleading to all party members that we’re doing the registration, so everyone should go to their polling stations and write their names,” he urged.

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan