The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has declared its nationwide constituency executive elections largely successful after polls were held in 245 of the 276 constituencies at the weekend.
According to the party, the elections, held on Saturday and Sunday, recorded an 88.7 per cent success rate and were generally peaceful across the country, with delegates electing new constituency executives to steer the party's affairs at the constituency level.
In a statement issued after the exercise, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, commended party members for their discipline and commitment, saying their cooperation contributed significantly to the peaceful conduct of the elections in most parts of the country.
Polls
Voting took place in constituencies across the 16 regions last Saturday and Sunday under the supervision of the party's elections directorate and regional officials. Delegates elected executives for key positions, including constituency chairman, first and second vice-chairmen, secretary, organiser, women's organiser, youth organiser and treasurer.
The elections formed part of the NPP's ongoing internal reorganisation following its defeat in the 2024 general election. Party leaders have repeatedly described the exercise as a critical step towards rebuilding the party's structures ahead of future political contests.
Although voting proceeded smoothly in the majority of constituencies, reports from some centres indicated delays, disagreements over delegate albums, procedural concerns and petitions from aggrieved aspirants. Despite these challenges, voting was completed successfully in most constituencies without major disruptions.
Disputes and incidents
The party disclosed that elections in 23 constituencies were put on hold because of various disputes, while four constituencies—Ningo Prampram, Atwima Mponua, Obuasi West and Trobu—were unable to hold elections because of last-minute challenges.
Some party members in Bantama observing the situation in disbelief after the destruction of the electoral materials (left)
In addition, the National Steering Committee is expected to review election activities in Afigya Sekyere East, Adansi Asokwa, Bantama and Asante Akyem Central before decisions are taken on the way forward.
The national secretariat said it would work to resolve all outstanding disputes to ensure the successful completion of the constituency executive election process in the affected areas and preserve the integrity of the party's internal democratic processes.
Bantama
Gilbert Mawuli Agbey reports from Kumasi that a violent confrontation among party members disrupted the Bantama Constituency executive elections in the Ashanti Region last Saturday.
The confusion erupted at the Kumasi Cultural Centre when some party members stormed the venue, insisting that the election should not proceed because it was restrained by an interim court injunction.
The group allegedly destroyed ballot papers and other electoral materials, forcing the exercise to be suspended. A party member sustained injuries during the incident and was rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for treatment, while personnel of the Ghana Police Service arrested three suspects.
The NPP Director of Elections, Evans Nimako, said the party was awaiting a detailed report from the police to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. He explained that the party would also rely on a comprehensive report from its national representative assigned to supervise the elections before determining its next course of action.
Tema
Benjamin Glover reports that the Tema High Court restrained the party from conducting its constituency executive elections in the Tema East and Tema Central constituencies, which were scheduled last Saturday.
The interim injunctions, granted following separate ex parte applications by aggrieved party members, were to remain in force for 10 days pending the determination of the cases.
In the Tema East case, Justice Janet Anima Maafo ordered the suspension of all arrangements for the election after two party members, Moses Nana Kwame Ninson and John Abam Ofori, challenged the electoral process.
In Tema Central, the court halted the election after Francis Agyei Twum and Joseph Emmanuel De-Graft Johnson alleged that a revised polling station register excluded the names of 145 existing polling station executives, including themselves.
The court's decision left party members who had gathered at the Chemu Senior High School for the Tema Central election disappointed after they were informed that the exercise had been suspended.
Kpandai
From Kpandai, Simon Unyan reports that Kennedy Jato retained his position as the party’s Constituency Chairman for Kpandai after a keen contest.
Mr Jato, who polled 663 votes to defeat the incumbent Vice-Chairman, Amexo Kofi Paul, who secured 536 votes, urged all contestants to put the election behind them and work together in the party's interest.
He stressed that maintaining unity after the elections would be vital to the party's electoral fortunes, warning that any post-election fallout could undermine its chances in 2028.
Mr Jato called on all members, particularly those who lost in the contest, to support efforts to reorganise the party and help Dr Mahamudu Bawumia lead the NPP back to power.
Background
The constituency executive election is the second major phase of the NPP's internal reorganisation exercise following the successful conduct of polling station executive elections earlier this year.
The process is intended to renew the party's grassroots leadership structure after the expiration of the tenure of previous executives.
The newly elected constituency executives will oversee party organisation, membership mobilisation, fundraising, conflict resolution and campaign coordination within their respective constituencies.
They will also play a key role in preparing the party for subsequent internal elections at the regional and national levels.
