Understanding a shift in voters preference in political party strongholds. A study of Hohoe constituency during the 2020 parliamentary election.

Abstract

Undoubtedly, the Hohoe constituency has traditionally been a stronghold of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana, consistently securing victories in parliamentary elections since the inception of the fourth republic. However, a notable shift occurred in the 2020 parliamentary elections when the NDC lost the seat to the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the first time. This unexpected outcome not only surprised the NDC party but also caught the attention of astute political observers. This research aims to delve into the factors that contributed to the change in voter behavior among the constituents of Hohoe during the 2020 parliamentary elections. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study gathered data from 385 respondents and conducted interviews with 10 individuals. Upon analyzing the survey results, the findings suggest that the shift in voter behavior can be attributed to the developmental projects initiated by the NPP parliamentary candidate, who also serves as the Minister of Energy and the creation of SALL. His track record and personality, dating back to his tenure as the District Chief Executive in 2008 and as a minister in 2016, stood in stark contrast to the perceived complacency and inability of the NDC candidate to deliver development to the constituency. This perception, coupled with the belief that the NPP candidate was more development-oriented, contributed to the decision to unseat the NDC MP.