OPPOSITION NDC RETAINS SEAT IN PARLIAMENTARY

UNCLAS ACCRA 001775 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV GH GOG SUBJECT: OPPOSITION NDC RETAINS SEAT IN PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTION ¶1. (U) In a hotly contested by-election in Accra on August 30, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party retained its seat in Odododiodio constituency, beating the New Patriotic Party (NPP) by a substantial margin. Turnout was 55%, typical for a by-election. Embassy observers noted the heavy presence of police, party monitors, and domestic observers in an election that was free and fair. The atmosphere was somewhat tense, due to some pre-election scuffles; however, despite some minor disagreements over procedures, polling proceeded smoothly. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: This by-election received intense national media and political attention. Not surprisingly, the opposition NDC has touted its victory as an indication of the declining popularity of the Kufuor administration and his NPP party. The NPP invested a great deal of political capital into the election and feels stung. However, the Odododiodio result does not affect the party balance in parliament and will have no major impact on national politics. The election was largely about the strength of the candidates: the NDC's candidate was a school teacher, whereas the ruling NPP had nominated an inarticulate, party-switching chauffeur whose sole qualification was that he is the son of the former (deceased) NDC parliamentarian. Furthermore, the NDC seemed better mobilized to turn out its base. The NPP also failed to win votes through a last-minute spate of public works projects (tarring roads and installing electric lights). The seriousness the Electoral Commission and the police demonstrated in preparing for the election, and the free, fair, and generally peaceful result demonstrate again Ghana's determination to institutionalize and routinize its democratic process. LANIER