NPP claims Akufo-Addo cruising with 51.8%, Hannah Tetteh denies losing

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday claimed its presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo was comfortably in the lead, with projections of about 4 million votes counted in their favour, representing 40% of total ballots cast.

The party's Director of Campaign, Boakye Agyarko disclosed at a news conference that Nana Akufo-Addo was currently in the lead after clinching 51.8% of votes cast as reported by their agents throughout the country.

Mr. Agyarko commended two of the party’s parliamentary candidates; Alex Afenyo-Markin and Steven Siaka, who have beaten incumbent MPs Mike Hammah and Alexander Asum Ahensan, both serving ministers, in the elections at Effutu and Jama North constituencies respectively.

He also urged party supporters who could not vote in Friday’s polls, to turn out in their numbers at the polling stations to vote massively for Mr Akufo-Addo and the NPP’s parliamentary candidates to ensure a resounding victory.

The Campaign Director appeared very confident as he told the assembled members of the press that Akufo-Addo is just shy of 52% and the party is confident that he will maintain that lead and win the election.

However, he tempered these expressions of confidence when he told his audience that, “it ain’t over until the fat lady sings,” meaning that the winner will not be certain until the Electoral Commission (EC)officially declares the final results.

For this reason, he said, it is crucial that party faithful cast their votes.

In a related development, Trade and Industry Minister Hannah Tetteh has denied rumours she has lost the Awutu Senya Constituency elections to the NPP’s candidate.

She posted on facebook that; “My Constituency has 99 polling stations; yesterday 22 biometric verification machines broke down during voting, and not all of them could be replaced.”

“As it is, 11 polling stations had the elections adjourned yesterday and are still voting as we speak.”

“The polls will close after five today, regarding the polling stations where results have been declared I am leading by a comfortable margin,” Ms Tetteh maintained.