A total number of Thousand Four and Ninty Two (1492) polling stations and Forty Nine (49) aspirants will be participating in the Parliamentary and Presidential primaries in the Upper East Region come Saturday, May 13. In the Upper East Region, it is clear some incumbent MPs are currently struggling to regain their mandates in the region as far as representing their constituents and constituencies in Parliament is concerned. The battle is becoming too tough few of these Members of Parliament. In fact, few of these incumbent MPs did not see this tough battle coming. Some of them were relaxed until Monday, May 8, 2023, when they started seeing massive competition from their opponents. Some of these MPs were strategic to remove money for their campaigns, especially in the area of lobbying delegates, some of these MPs also claimed their incumbency will do the magic for them but, happenings on the campaign ground have shown their mentality deceived them big time. Navrongo is one the place easily predicted a smooth win for the Incumbent, But as we speak, the incumbent is not finding it easy due to the ongoing Kessana and Nankana tribal campaign which seriously penetrating in favor of Mr. Simon. But, however, Mr. STC is pushing we are seeing him through because of the power of incumbency. Binduri is another interesting area to watch out for, the retired police who doubles as a lawyer, is showing some level of seriousness as far as capturing the ticket is concerned. The former MP for the area Dr. Robert who lost the seat to the NPP is equally fighting so hard. We are seeing him going through the contest. But it won’t be an easy journey or if you like a walk away for him. Chana/Paga is one of the areas, the MP Dalou is facing a massive contest, The MP himself is aware the battle is too tough for him at this stage. Alamzy is heard across all the branches. But the only challenges we observed that might go against Alamzy is also the tribal campaign against him as some claimed he is a stranger and also contesting from the same zone with Lawyer. They might share their votes and that may give the incumbent the opportunity. Garu is one of the areas the incumbent MP is not currently at peace especially with the caliber of personalities contesting him, especially with the name Dr. Thomas Anaba being on top. From what we have gathered already, the incumbent might not return back to represent the people of Garu. The majority believes he has served for 12 years which means 4 years as DCE and 8 years Member of Parliament and according to them, is time to give another person the opportunity to serve. Nabdam is a very strange area to watch out for, the incumbent Dr. Kurt Nawaane is not finding it easy, his contender Lamtiig Apanga has made the competition in the constituency an interesting one. In the history of the NDC internal party contest, this particular one has seen massive change. In the past, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane the incumbent, has been contested twice by Dr. Vida a University lecturer but has not witnessed such a tough contest as witnessed even in this current primaries. In the Nabdam Constituency, tribal campaigns cannot be ruled out. Nabdam constituency is having a total number of 50 polling stations and out of the 50 polling stations, Lawyer Apanga is said to be having the upper hand with 31 polling stations, only leaving just 19 for the incumbent MP. Even though, Dr. Nawaane has done his best in terms of development in the constituency example the Police post he constructed in Pelengu, the maths set he always donates to the BECE students, some boreholes he has constructed and schools fees paid for some students in the area. Lawyer Apanga, has also provided some development to the Nabdam people, for example, the 6 boreholes, COVID-19 donations and etc. However, he is also loved by his people. We are seeing a tough contest in the Nabdam constituency, the chances of both candidates is tiny. Meaning whoever that will emerge victories will win by just a small margin. Nabdam is an interesting place. Talensi, The number of candidates contesting for just one seat in the Talensi Constituency is making it difficult for us looking at their individual qualities. However, ‘if’ the zone factor plays as we normally witnessed in almost all the Talensi political elections, then the Talensi Constituency is likely to elect the youngest candidate amongst the eight in the person of Solomon TTB. This is because he is the only representative coming from the Eastern Zone which is perceived to have the largest votes. Zinekena Solomon TTB, Edward Awunore, John Yaro, Mahama Dung Daniel, Nathaniel Daraan Kugre. Pusiga: This is another interesting area to watch keenly. We observed that delegates were not happy with the incumbent MP. The MP has been in power for almost 12 years and yet she couldn’t provide the party with a car, which has caused the party always going to NPP to borrow their party car ‘No empowerment for party members. She is a ‘boss’ not a ‘leader’ They also claimed she is now trying to use material things to buy their conscience. Note: No one can underrate the power of incumbency at the eve night. From the views we gathered from those who matter in the Pusiga Constituency, Mr. George B. Azungah is likely to lead NDC to the Promised Land as the Pusiga Parliamentary Candidate ahead of the 2024. Bongo: The pressure in Bongo is massive. They are three aspiring candidates Lawyer Charles Dua, Edward Bawa, and Prof. Avea Nsoh. From our observation, the competition is between the incumbent and the astute Lawyer Dua. Our observation could confirm that the incumbent Edward Bawa is not an easy contest at all. Lawyer Dua has shown massive seriousness ahead of the primaries. He is currently giving the incumbent a
