Low voter turnout was a protest vote – Dr Asah-Asante counters NPP narrative on 2024 election defeat

Political scientist Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante has challenged Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's narrative. Bawumia is the presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He attributed the party’s defeat in the 2024 elections to internal issues.

In an interview on JoyNews' The Pulse, Dr. Asah-Asante argued that low turnout was a protest vote. He responded to Bawumia's comments during the NPP's Thank You Tour launch.

Dr. Asah-Asante believes voter participation should not be dismissed as disinterest. Instead, it sends a strong political message from the party’s base.

He explained that if 20 people are expected to vote and only 10 do, the other 10 are protesting. “It’s a protest vote,” he stated.

Even without casting ballots, supporters’ absence signals dissatisfaction with party leadership. They chose not to participate as a form of indirect voting.

“They knew their presence would increase numbers but stayed away,” he noted. This absence represents a vote against the party, not apathy.

Dr. Asah-Asante urged the NPP to reflect on their loss deeply. He highlighted the significant change from their previous electoral victory four years ago.

“Why did this same group of people not want them in power?” he asked. This question is crucial for understanding their defeat.