The recent election of John Dumelo as the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency has shed light on the changing mindset of voters when it comes to electing their leaders.
In a recent interview, Dumelo spoke about the tactics used by his opponent, Lydia Seyram Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), during the election campaign.
Dumelo accused Alhassan of trying to sway voters with food items and money, as well as whispering into their ears while they were waiting in line to cast their ballots.
Despite these tactics, Dumelo emerged victorious, attributing his success to his hard work and the growing democractic maturity of the electorate.
He emphasized that voters are no longer easily influenced by handouts, but instead make their decisions based on policies and their own circumstances. Dumelo expressed his belief that voters value meaningful representation over material goods, showcasing their discernment and integrity.
In his own campaign, Dumelo refrained from using tactics similar to Alhassan’s, stating that it would be politically unethical to engage in such behavior. Instead, he focused on addressing the needs and interests of his constituents, aiming to build a strong relationship with them.
Dumelo’s victory in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, with 47,560 votes to Alhassan’s 39,214 votes, reflects the changing dynamics of voter behavior in Ghanaian politics.