William Yamoah
The Presidential Elections Committee of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has released a list of polling centres across the 16 regions for the forthcoming Special Delegates Conference scheduled for August 26.
Williams Yamoah, the Secretary of the Presidential Elections Committee, disclosed in a statement that the delegates conference, which will elect five presidential candidates for the National Congress, will be held in one centre in all 16 regional capitals nationwide, including Asylum Down, making 17 voting stations in total.
The centres include KNUST (Kumasi), Pastoral Centre, Goaso (Ahafo), Pastoral Centre (Sunyani), Ameyaw-Akumfi Social Centre, (Techiman), Pempamsi Hotel (Cape Coast), Eastern Premiere (Koforidua), Accra High School (Accra), Radach Hotel (Tamale), Nalerigu Senior High School (North East).
Damango Youth Centre (Savannah), Gansa Hotel (Bolgatanga), Upland Hostel (Wa), Dambai College of Education (Oti), Pastoral Centre (Ho), Regional Library (Takoradi), and Villa Boakye Hotel (Sefwi-Wiawso).
Williams Yamoah further indicated that the decision to conduct the delegates conference across the 16 regions was formulated after extensive consultation with stakeholders, including presidential aspirants.
Delegates Composition
The statement further revealed that the special electoral college would include delegates such as the National Council, National Executive Committee, Regional Executive Committee, members of the National Council of Elders, Members of Parliament, three representatives of the special organs of the party, past national officers, three representatives each from every external branch, founding members at the time of the party’s registration, and all party members who hold cards.
“To ensure credibility and transparency, the Election Committee shall make the validated album (voter register) available to all participating aspirants no later than Wednesday, July 26, 2023. This provision allows one week for thorough examination and verification of the album before the special college date,” the statement disclosed, emphasising that “delegates shall vote for one aspirant of their choice in the secret ballot.”
It also indicated that the Presidential Elections Committee will constitute a quick response team to address matters that may arise and disputes amicably.
Result Collation and Voting Offences
The statement also indicated that the ballot will be counted and declared at the close of the polling station (9:00 am-1:00 pm) at each polling centre by the presiding officer.
Failure of agents to sign the centre results will not invalidate the presiding officer’s announcement.
In its statement, the Presidential Election Committee stated that multiple voting, vote buying, compelling people to vote in a certain way, obstructing delegates from freely exercising their right to cast a ballot, displaying ballot papers or taking photos of ballots to let others know who you voted for will not be tolerated.
Presidential Aspirant Agreement
No aspirant, according to the statement, will appoint an active government official or any delegate listed to vote in the presidential election as an agent. The officials include metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs), ministers, CEOs of state-owned enterprises, regional executives, and constituency executives.
The agreement also emphasised that the Electoral Commission should ensure it uses complex serial numbers to avoid ballots being traced to voters. It should also deny influencers and ‘macho men’ access to the voting centres, as well as desist from calling out the names of delegates in the queue to vote at the voting centres.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke
