Election 2024: Mahama holds 19% lead over Bawumia among first-time voters — Global InfoAnalytics

NDC flagbearer John Mahama[left] and NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

A pre-election poll conducted by research firm Global InfoAnalytics predicts that NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama currently holds a 19% lead over ruling NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of first-time voters ahead of the December 7 elections.

The poll findings is a boost for the NDC’s electoral fortunes compared to the 2020 elections, where a Global InfoAnalytics survey tipped Nana Akufo-Addo, who was then seeking re-election, with a 20% lead over Mahama among the first-time voting bloc.

"In the final Global InfoAnalytics poll published on 4th December 2020, Nana Addo had a 20% lead over John Mahama among first-time voters but the outcome of the 2020 election suggests the 20% lead disappeared as they could not vote," said the research firm in a post on its findings via X on Tuesday, May 7.

It attributed Akufo-Addo's diminished support among first-time voters four years ago to the Electoral Commission's decision to register Senior High School students in their schools.

However, many of the registered students vacated before election day and could not return to vote in their schools.

The research firm praised the Ghana Education Service’s recent decision to give prospective student voters four days to return home to register, describing it as a "very wise decision."

Global InfoAnalytics projects that first-time voters, who are arguably more impacted by current economic conditions, could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of 2024 polls.