The polls conducted by Synovates, formerly Stedman Group, a global market and media research experts, puts Nana Akufo-Addo flag bearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of President Mills in six regions on a sample size of 1,000 respondents.
According to the poll, 43 per cent of respondents said they would vote for Nana Akufo-Addo, whilst 41 per cent said they would vote for President Mills, eight per cent for the Convention People’s Party’s Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, two per cent for the PNC’s Dr Edward Mahama, with six per cent saying they were undecided.
On Asempa FM on Wednesday, Kwadwo Twum Boafo explained that if the poll claimed that over 50 per cent of respondents said they expected the economic situation to improve in the next 12 months, then it means by 2012 they would still vote for President Mills.
He said looking at the percentage difference between Nana Akufo –Addo’s 43 per cent and President Mills 41 per cent; it clearly shows that if there is a midterm election in the country, it could go either way.
Citing a pie chart in the poll’s results, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Board stated that the total sum of 101% cannot be between the margin error as indicated by Synovates which directly affects the results of the opinion polls, and making it absurd.
“A pie chart can never add up to more than 100 per cent; it is just like telling me that more than 100% of the electorate turned out to vote; it’s not possible”.
Kwadwo Twum Boafo observed that the sample size used in the entire survey do not reflect the entire population of the regions the polls were conducted making it inaccurate.
“When you do a poll and you are not using the historical data of recent elections; what poll are you doing. I heard them saying it is a brand building exercise; I think it is a brand killing exercise. I think they have scored a mathematical and statistical point”.
He advised Synovate to look at the demographics of the country and apply the appropriate methodology in conducting credible polls in future.
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