Accra: The New Patriotic Party has warned that results from any polling centre compromised by misconduct or breaches of rules during its January 31 presidential primaries will be cancelled. Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, Chairperson of the NPP Presidential Elections Committee, stated that the party would annul results where evidence showed that irregular conduct had influenced the outcome.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Osei-Owusu emphasized that any conduct adversely affecting the election would lead to the committee cancelling the results of that particular polling centre. A strict set of election-day rules has been agreed to and signed by all five aspirants, and submitted to the Electoral Commission and the Ghana Police Service for enforcement.
Mr Osei-Owusu announced the abolition of proxy voting as a measure to prevent disputes and protect the process's credibility. He stated that in this election, there would be no allowance for proxy voting to ensure the integrity of the election.
Aspirants and their supporters will not be permitted to bring branded materials, camp delegates, or aggregate voters at any location, as Mr Osei-Owusu explained. He detailed that voting would occur in the open, with no individuals allowed to direct voters or linger around polling centres post-voting.
Only accredited persons and eligible delegates with valid identification will be allowed into polling centres. Mr Osei-Owusu specified that regional chairmen, national officers, or former appointees would only be allowed to vote without issuing instructions.
Mr Osei-Owusu warned against the use of mobile phones in voting areas and stated that private security or 'macho men' would attract severe sanctions. He quoted the Inspector-General of Police, emphasizing a no-tolerance policy for misbehavior.
Police have begun training party executives on the rules to ensure compliance. On the issue of vote-buying, Mr Osei-Owusu mentioned that credible evidence of inducement would be investigated, and if it affected the outcome, the results would be cancelled.
The NPP presidential primaries will be held at 333 polling centres across 276 constituencies, with 211,849 delegates eligible to vote. Polls will open at 0700 hours and close at 1400 hours, followed by counting and declaration at the polling centres. Results will be sent to regional collation centres and then to the EC headquarters in Accra for the final declaration, before being formally announced by the party.
The five aspirants contesting the January 31, 2026, NPP presidential primaries are Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr Bryan Acheampong, and Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum.