The Asawase Member of Parliament in the Ashanti Region and former Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has asserted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is aiming to secure approximately 32% of the votes in the Ashanti Region in the upcoming December elections.

He went ahead to describe the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) target of 85% as unrealistic and overly ambitious given historical voting patterns.

Alhaji Muntaka highlighted that since 1992, the NDC’s lowest performance in the Ashanti Region has been around 20%, making a jump to 32% feasible.

He questioned the feasibility of the NPP’s strategy to achieve 85%, suggesting it would require significant measures to suppress NDC voters.

His remarks followed the NPP’s announcement of their running mate in Kumasi, where Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh urged voters to deliver 85% of the votes to the party.

Alhaji Muntaka, after meeting with the Tafo/Pankrono NDC parliamentary candidate, Zongo Chiefs, and religious leaders, emphasized the NDC’s readiness to challenge such ambitious targets.

“If you look at our worst performance in the last 30 years in this region, it has never dropped below 20 percent. Are they going to prevent us from voting, or how do they expect to secure 85 percent of the votes?” he questioned.

Alhaji Muntaka also expressed confidence in the NDC’s prospects, saying, “We are not intimidated by Dr. Prempeh’s candidacy. Let him make mistakes that could ultimately work in our favour,” he stated.

The NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Tafo/Pankrono, Alhaji Sahmudeen Mohammed Kamil, explained that their meeting aimed to engage community leaders, understand local concerns, and prepare for the 2024 elections.

Issues highlighted included unpaid or underpaid Islamic teachers, youth unemployment, and the high cost of living.

Alhaji Sahmudeen outlined the NDC’s plan under John Dramani Mahama’s leadership to implement a 24-hour economy initiative to address these challenges, dismissing claims of ignorance about the policy’s details.

Despite tough competition in the Constituency, Alhaji Sahmudeen remained optimistic about defeating the incumbent MP, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, whom he criticized for inadequate representation.

He urged voters to support the NDC for comprehensive national development.