The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a zero-tolerance directive ahead of its high-stakes presidential primary scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026.
In a move aimed at safeguarding ballot secrecy and preventing vote-buying, the party has banned the use of mobile phones and all foreign materials within the inner voting perimeter.
The party has warned that any delegate found flouting the directive will face immediate arrest and possible criminal prosecution, in addition to being disqualified from voting.
Speaking to Citi News on the eve of the election, a member of the NPP Presidential Election Committee, Isaac Baah Boamah, outlined a strict walk-in voting structure designed to ensure order and transparency at all polling centres.
According to him, voting centres nationwide will be divided into three clearly demarcated zones.
The outer section will serve as the first point of contact, where electoral officials will verify delegates’ identities using approved identification documents.
The middle section will function as a transition area for briefing and orderly queuing, while the inner section will be a high-security zone where voting will take place.
“The electoral officials, per the guidelines, have been told that it is a walk-in exercise. The areas will be demarcated into three sections: the outer section, the middle section, and the inner section. The outer section is where electoral officials will identify you using your ID card for this exercise,” Mr Boamah explained.
In a departure from previous practices, the committee has ruled out voting through vouching or verbal confirmation by party elders. Delegates must present one of four approved identification documents to be eligible to vote.
The approved forms of identification are the Voter’s ID card, NPP membership card, national passport and Ghana Card.
“We have approved four forms of identification; any one of them will be permissible. Any delegate without an ID cannot cast a ballot,” Mr Boamah stated, adding: “I urge every delegate to go and look for their ID card before they come to vote.”
One of the most stringent aspects of the guidelines is the complete ban on technology within the voting booth. This measure is intended to prevent delegates from taking photographs of their marked ballots, commonly used as proof in vote-buying arrangements.
“When you enter the inner circle, you are not supposed to go in with any foreign material, including mobile phones,” Mr Boamah stressed.
Saturday’s primary will decide who leads the party, popularly known as the Elephant Party, into the next general election.
Five aspirants are contesting the race: former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; Abetifi MP Dr Bryan Acheampong; Bosomtwe MP Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum; and former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.
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