More than 60 aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Akyem Swedru Constituency have reportedly been disqualified from contesting in the party’s upcoming polling station elections, triggering tension and concern within the party’s ranks.
The development is casting a shadow over the party’s ongoing reorganisation and grassroots mobilisation efforts, with some observers warning that it could deepen internal divisions as the party looks ahead to the 2028 general elections.
The affected members have since petitioned the Constituency Executive Committee, describing their exclusion from the vetting process as unfair and inconsistent with party guidelines.
According to the petitioners, they honoured invitations to appear before vetting committees between April 27 and April 28 at various centres, including the constituency party office and other designated venues.
‘Absolute transparency, fairness at Tarkwa-Nsuaem NPP elections’ – Executive Committee
However, they claim they were turned away upon arrival after being informed that their names were not captured in interim registers compiled during a March 2026 membership registration exercise.
The group argues that the decision contradicts directives issued by the party’s national leadership, including General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua and National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye, who introduced an online registration platform to accommodate members unable to register physically at polling stations or party offices.
They maintain that the online registration process did not require members to subsequently record their names in manual registers, noting that registrants were issued unique membership identification numbers.
On that basis, they insist that the absence of their names in interim record books should not have been used as grounds for disqualification.
“The committee failed to vet us based on criteria that have no grounding in the party’s election guidelines,” portions of the petition stated, adding that no specific provisions were cited to justify the decision.
The petitioners further contend that a review of the party’s February 2026 guidelines, subsequent revisions, and related directives does not mandate the use of interim registers as a requirement for vetting aspirants.
They also argue that, at the time the vetting exercise commenced, the party had not yet compiled a comprehensive polling station register nationwide, making reliance on incomplete data inappropriate.
Citing provisions in the party’s electoral guidelines, particularly those relating to eligibility and voting, the group accused the vetting committee of misinterpreting the rules by applying voter eligibility criteria to the vetting stage of the process.
They are therefore calling on the Regional Executive Committee and the National Executive Committee (NEC) to intervene, annul the decision, and ensure that all affected aspirants are duly vetted to participate in the elections.
The group has also accused the vetting committee of overstepping its mandate and acting outside its authority, warning that it will consider further action if its grievances are not addressed.
AM
President Mahama reacts to Trump White House shooting incident
‘I have forgiven her’ — Pentecost Chairman responds to Dr Mary Awusi
