Tension Erupts At Oforikrom And Atwima Kwanwoma As NDC Elections Face Ballot Paper Crisis

According to a report by TV3Gh, on Sunday October 25, 2026, Tension have emerged in parts of the Ashanti Region during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) constituency executive elections following delays in the availability of ballot papers for some positions, prompting angry aspirants to demand the suspension and rescheduling of the exercise.

The challenges were reported at Oforikrom and Atwima Kwanwoma, where concerns over the organisation of the polls raised questions about the preparedness of election officials and the fairness of the voting process.

According to a report by 3News published on October 24, 2026, some candidates argued that continuing the elections without the necessary ballot papers would disadvantage those contesting the affected positions.

They called for the process to be postponed until all required electoral materials were available.

At Oforikrom, aspiring constituency chairman Jackson Prah Darren expressed concern about the delays, claiming that similar problems had occurred during previous constituency elections.

He recalled that delays in the earlier exercise had pushed voting in some electoral areas into the late hours of the night, leaving delegates tired and frustrated, with some eventually abandoning the process before it was completed.

“These are machinations that always exist. When we did the last four years elections, same happened.

They delayed the process, but by the time it got to some electoral areas, it was 10 p.m., 12:00 a.m. Fatigue set in, people got frustrated and left,” he said.

His comments reflected concerns among some aspirants that prolonged delays could affect voter participation and undermine confidence in the internal electoral process.

Another aspirant, who was contesting for the position of constituency treasurer, also alleged that the delays were deliberate.

The candidate warned that keeping delegates waiting for extended periods could discourage them from remaining at the voting centre until the elections were completed.

“It is a deliberate attempt to delay the process, and then delegates would be tired and say, ‘Oh, we are leaving.’ But we don’t want that thing to happen again,” the aspirant said.

The candidate called on the relevant party authorities to intervene and ensure that the elections were conducted under conditions that would allow all contestants a fair opportunity.

The growing dissatisfaction at Oforikrom prompted the intervention of Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene, who arrived at the voting centre to calm agitated delegates and aspirants.

He facilitated discussions among the parties involved in an effort to find a way forward and prevent the disagreement from further disrupting the elections.

Following the deliberations, an agreement was reached to allow voting to proceed for the 13 executive positions for which ballot papers were available.

However, elections for the Zongo Caucus and Deputy Secretary positions were postponed to another date.

The decision allowed the exercise to continue for the unaffected positions, although some candidates whose contests were deferred remained unhappy with the outcome.

The affected aspirants argued that they had already spent considerable time and resources campaigning, mobilising delegates and preparing for the elections. They expressed concern about the additional inconvenience caused by the postponement.

Atwima Kwanwoma also experienced heightened tensions during the constituency elections, although the concerns there centred on allegations about the delegate register and the eligibility of some voters.

The voting exercise at Twedie Technical Institute was reportedly disrupted by disagreements over the alleged removal and replacement of delegates.

Some aggrieved party members claimed that legitimate delegates had been excluded and replaced by other individuals.

The controversy intensified after allegations emerged that more than 700 delegates had been removed from the party’s register, raising concerns among some members about the credibility of the exercise.

Some supporters reportedly invoked curses against party executives, demanding that individuals allegedly registered to vote despite not belonging to the constituency be held accountable.

Atwima Kwanwoma has 240 polling stations, with 2,160 delegates expected to participate in the elections, according to information cited in the report.

The allegations surrounding the delegate register added another layer of controversy to the voting process.

The developments in the two constituencies have highlighted the challenges confronting the NDC as it elects new grassroots executives ahead of future political engagements.

The constituency elections are intended to strengthen the party’s organisational structures and select leaders responsible for coordinating activities at the local level.

However, the concerns raised over missing ballot papers, prolonged delays and disputes about the delegate register have underscored the importance of transparent procedures and effective logistical planning.

NDC Ashanti Regional Chairman Andrew Augustus Nana Akwasi has urged aspirants, delegates and supporters to maintain peace, mutual respect and unity throughout the electoral process.

He stressed that members should put aside their differences after the elections and work towards the party’s broader objectives, particularly preparations for the 2028 general elections.

While voting continued for available positions at Oforikrom, the postponement of two contests and the separate disagreements at Atwima Kwanwoma left some party members seeking answers about the organisation of the polls.

The outcome of the internal elections is expected to shape the leadership of the party’s constituency structures, making the resolution of such concerns important to maintaining confidence among members and ensuring cooperation after the contests.

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