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Following the opening of nominations and surfacing of new entrants into the National Democratic Congress (NDC) race for parliament, pollster and managing editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper, Ben Ephson has predicted that some of the new faces will not make it to parliament even if they win the primaries.

Mr. Ephson stated that daughter of former President Jerry John Rawlings, Dr. Ezenator Rawlings and deputy communications minister, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, who are expected to contest for Korley Klottey and Ablekuma North respectively, would not win if they pass through the primaries.

The pollster noted that Ablekuma North is a stronghold of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) with a huge gap; hence, it would be difficult for any NDC candidate to win the seat.

Speaking on Kasapa FM yesterday, Mr. Ephson stated that the NPP has always won the Ablekuma North; hence, the best Mr. Kwakye could do is to only increase the presidential votes in the constituency.

According to him, the deputy minister can win the parliamentary primary but has no chance at the national election that will take him to parliament, adding that, that was why Ras Mubarak moved to the Northern region to contest.

On Dr. Rawlings, Mr. Ephson said her father did some things in the past which are likely to haunt her if former President Rawlings actively campaigns for her.

He added that Dr. Rawlings could have gone for a safe seat in the Volta Region where she would have won easily but has chosen to go for Korley Klottey in the Greater Accra Region.

For the Dome Kwabenya seat, the pollster noted that former Information Minister, Zita Okaikoi cannot beat the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) Adwoa Safo because “NPP will always have more votes than NDC there.”

He, however, said Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije has brighter chance of winning the Ablekuma South seat if he wins at the primary.

For the Adentan constituency, the pollster explained that it would be a keen contest between the incumbent MP, Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore and former Municipal Chief Executive, Kakra Vanlare due to the rivalry between them.

The Managing Editor added that the number of new faces is likely to increase from 20 to about 40 because more people are joining the race.

Mr. Ephson further revealed that some aspirants have their blood pressure increasing already because they bought flat screen televisions to be shared to delegates without knowing that the Electoral College would be expanded.

He stated that it would be difficult for any aspirant to share money or items to delegates because some of the constituencies have registered about 12,000 party members who have the right to vote.

The Managing Editor also applauded the NDC for expanding the Electoral College because, according to him, this is effective grassroots mobilization and participation.

Towards 2020, he stated that the NPP is likely to follow suit by expanding their Electoral College.