A faction of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Asante Mampong Constituency has vehemently opposed the planned resumption of polling station executive elections on May 31, 2026. This group asserts that critical issues, including the integrity of the voter register and transparency in the electoral process, which previously led to the suspension of the elections earlier in May, remain unresolved.
The opposition was voiced at a press conference in Mampong, where spokesperson Isaac Owusu Acheampong highlighted significant concerns. He alleged the use of an unapproved voter register, a lack of transparency, and a reduction in the number of polling stations participating in the rescheduled exercise as key reasons for their stance.
Foundation of Party Politics Under Threat
Mr. Acheampong emphasized the fundamental role of polling station elections in the NPP’s organizational structure. “The way we do our politics, they build up from the polling stations. Then from there, you go to the coordinators. From coordinators to constituency, up, up, up to the national,” he explained to journalists.
He warned that compromising the integrity of elections at this foundational level could have far-reaching consequences. “But if you allow yourself to be cheated at the polling station level, that is the end of you,” Acheampong stated, underscoring the importance of fairness and transparency in these initial elections.
The polling station elections were initially halted on May 14 due to disagreements over the voter register and procedural concerns raised by party members. The Asante Mampong Constituency comprises 145 polling stations, with each expected to elect seven executives, forming a base of over a thousand individuals who will eventually participate in parliamentary primary selections.
Discrepancies in Voter Register Fuel Dispute
A central point of contention is the voter register intended for use in the elections. Mr. Acheampong alleged that constituency executives created a new register in PDF format, deviating from the party’s original register.
He claimed significant discrepancies exist between the original and the newly generated registers. This discrepancy, he warned, could lead to the exclusion of eligible party members from participating in the electoral process if the new register is used exclusively.
Meetings involving party stakeholders and security officials, including police commanders in the Ashanti North area, were reportedly held to mediate the impasse. According to Mr. Acheampong, an agreement was reached to use both the original and the newly generated registers to facilitate verification for members whose names might be missing from one document but present in the other.
“So that, if I go to the polling station and my name is not in the generated one, the name will be found in the original register. We all came into a compromise that, yes, that is the way we will go,” he explained. However, he alleged that this compromise was not fully implemented before the initial suspension.
Furthermore, Mr. Acheampong claimed that some polling station elections that did proceed before the suspension were conducted without referencing the original register, violating the agreed-upon procedure.
Questions Over Election Scope and Fairness
The group also raised alarms regarding the scope of the elections scheduled for May 31. Prior to the suspension on May 14, elections had only been successfully completed in two of the constituency’s 145 polling stations, leaving 143 pending.
Members expressed surprise and concern upon learning that the rescheduled exercise would reportedly cover only about 70 polling stations. “They have done two out of 145 and they are saying they are going to do only 70. We have not done anything,” Acheampong questioned, demanding clarity on the exclusion of the remaining polling stations.
The concerned members stressed that electoral processes should be applied uniformly across all polling stations and strictly adhere to party guidelines to ensure fairness and maintain confidence.
Allegations of Intimidation and Unanswered Petitions
The tensions surrounding internal elections in the constituency are not new, according to Mr. Acheampong. He indicated that some party members have historically felt intimidated during internal electoral processes, raising fears of similar tactics undermining the current exercise.
Repeated petitions submitted to constituency and regional party executives detailing these concerns have reportedly gone unanswered. “We informed the executive and they did not give us any response. We wrote first petition to the region, no response. Second, no response. Third, no response,” he claimed.
Several attendees at the press conference voiced frustration with the handling of the reorganization exercise, describing it as confusing. They cautioned that unresolved disputes could exacerbate divisions within the constituency, particularly at a time when the party is focused on reorganization following its 2024 general election defeat.
The group reiterated that their actions stem from a desire to protect internal democracy and strengthen the party, not to undermine it. “We have seen that they just want to cheat us. They just want to cheat us. And we will not sit down for those things,” one member stated.
Potential Boycott and Call for Intervention
Mr. Acheampong disclosed that a substantial number of prospective candidates for polling station executive positions have been advised by their supporters to withdraw from the elections until their concerns are addressed. This group reportedly represents over 1,000 potential contestants across the 145 polling stations.
He suggested that many of these individuals might refuse to participate if the issues surrounding the voter register and election procedures remain unresolved. “We have told them to withdraw. Sunday they won’t go,” he indicated.
Despite their grievances, the group affirmed their loyalty to the NPP. Mr. Acheampong clarified that their actions are aimed at upholding fairness, transparency, and democratic principles within the party. “We don’t have any other party. So we are with the party,” he stated.
The concerned members are urging the national and regional leadership of the NPP to intervene. They believe that resolving the current dispute in accordance with party guidelines will help restore confidence, foster unity within the constituency, and prevent further internal strife.
As of the time of filing this report, the constituency executives had not issued a public response to the allegations.
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