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Political parties asked to focus on micro rallies

                                             Dr. Evans Aggrey- Darkoh (Pix: Joy News)

By: Fred Yaw Sarpong

Political parties in the country have been asked to focus on micro rallies in order to reach a lot of their supporters and sympathizers.

A Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Evans Aggrey- Darkoh told the Daily Express that though massive rallies are very important in sending signals to opponents, mini rallies are surest ways to reach electorate.

“When you organize the rally it’s your people you mobilize and those in the ghettos, lorry stations and trotro stations, homes and other areas who are unable to attend the rally must be targeted. They need to find a way to reach them,” he added.

For this reason, Dr. Aggrey-Darko mentioned that with much focus on mini rallies, the various parties will win more of the voting public to their camps. “Organizing these massive rallies is to energize the party’s supporters because it gives signals to their other counterparts, but they must focus more on micro rallies,” he stated.

The Political Scientist however noted that no party can run away from massive rallies as they portray strong signals. “What it does is that it sends shivers to the spine of the opponent and also demonstrates to other parties that you have critical supports when it comes to voting.” Dr. Aggrey- Darkoh said

“it does not also mean that you should deceive yourself by organizing massive rallies. At a point whereby you (party) bus your supporters to convene at a particular place to show that you have the support can be tricky even though you want to send some signals.”

“Don’t forget that people will want to associate themselves to a winnable party. It has some positive but certainly that cannot be the main reason for a political party winning an election or not winning an election,” he indicated.

“If you look at the many rallies organized under the fourth republic especially by the NDC and NPP they always mobilize the largest crowd and it’s not surprise at times when it comes to election results these two parties are always on top,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Mr. Maxwell Kofi Jumah, the former Mayor of Kumasi and former NPP Member of Parliament for the Asokwa Constituency in the Ashanti region told Daily Express that massive rallies do not win an election.  “Most people who attend your rallies are your supporters. That’s why we call it rallies. You rally your supporters.”

George Opare Addo, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akuapim North District Assembly also alluded that massive rallies do not warrant victory for a candidate. He said “in 2008 the NPP had massive rallies yet they lost. In 2000 same happened to the NDC, we still lost.”

“Don’t be deceived by the number of people you see at a particular rally. The crowd tells a lot but you don’t assume that’s the end. The number matters a lot. Vote is by numbers and for that matter all parties are trying to increase their numbers (supporter’s base) in order to be sure of winning the Presidential election. But the massive crowd is not a guarantee,” the NDC member told Daily Express


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