NPP Constituency Elections Begin Under Tight Security as Voting Suspended in Seven Volta Seats

The Electoral Commission says preparations are complete for the New Patriotic Party’s nationwide constituency executive elections, although voting has been suspended in seven constituencies in the Volta Region because of pending legal disputes.

ACCRA, Ghana — The Electoral Commission (EC) says it has completed preparations for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) nationwide constituency executive elections, with voting scheduled to take place at 385 polling centres across Ghana this weekend. However, elections have been suspended in seven constituencies in the Volta Region following pending legal disputes and petitions.

According to the EC, polling is expected to begin at 0800 GMT and close at 1600 GMT. The elections form part of the governing party’s internal reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general election and the election of national executives later this year.

Samuel Dattoh Kwaah, Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission, said the commission had completed logistical preparations, including the deployment of election materials and personnel to voting centres nationwide. He said security agencies were working closely with election organisers to ensure peaceful voting.

The Commission said the number of polling centres had been increased from 276 to 385 to accommodate constituencies with large delegate populations and improve the administration of the elections.

“We have 276 constituencies, but some of the constituencies are huge, so we have split those centres,” Mr Kwaah said, adding that ballot papers and registers had been distributed through collaboration between the EC and the party’s constituency election committees.

Despite the nationwide preparations, not every constituency will participate.

The NPP has suspended constituency executive elections in Hohoe, Ketu North, South Tongu, Akatsi South, Keta, Anlo and North Dayi in the Volta Region after petitions were filed by aggrieved candidates and related matters were taken before the courts.

A memorandum issued by the party’s National Steering Committee directed that voting in those constituencies be postponed until the legal issues have been resolved. The committee instructed the Volta Regional Steering Committee to implement the decision immediately and ensure full compliance with the directive.

The suspensions highlight the legal and organisational challenges that can accompany internal party elections, particularly where disputes arise over candidate eligibility, delegate registers or electoral procedures.

Elsewhere, preparations are expected to proceed as planned.

Earlier reports indicated that more than 33,000 delegates in the Eastern Region were expected to participate in elections across the region’s 33 constituencies, illustrating the scale of the nationwide exercise.

The Electoral Commission has emphasised that constituencies affected by court actions or unresolved disputes will not vote until those matters have been concluded.

Security arrangements have also been strengthened. National, regional and constituency election security task forces have been activated to maintain public order and safeguard delegates, election officials and party members throughout the exercise.

The constituency executive elections follow the party’s earlier completion of polling station and electoral area elections, as well as the selection of its presidential candidate. Regional executive elections are expected to follow before the NPP concludes its internal reorganisation with the National Delegates Conference scheduled for September.

Political analysts view the internal elections as an important step in rebuilding the party’s grassroots structures after the 2024 general election. The newly elected constituency executives will play a central role in membership mobilisation, fundraising, candidate coordination and organisational planning ahead of future national contests.

While internal elections are managed by the political party, the Electoral Commission provides technical support and oversight to help ensure that agreed electoral procedures are followed.

No major security incidents had been officially reported at the time of publication.

---

Political Analysis

Why This Matters

Internal party elections rarely attract the same attention as national polls, yet they often shape future political leadership, organisational strategy and electoral competitiveness long before voters cast their ballots.

Nukunya Analysis

Why This Matters

The New Patriotic Party’s constituency executive elections represent one of the largest internal political exercises in Ghana, involving party structures across all constituencies nationwide.

The outcome will influence local party leadership, organisational mobilisation and preparations for subsequent regional elections, the National Delegates Conference and future internal decision-making.

Beyond the immediate contest, the elections will help shape campaign organisation, grassroots engagement and the party’s strategic direction ahead of Ghana’s next general election, making the process significant for both party members and the wider political landscape.

Reporting by Nukunya News Desk using statements from the Electoral Commission, official NPP communications, Ghana News Agency reporting and additional verification from Citi Newsroom.