The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Election Committee has stated that the act of taking photos of cast ballots during the party’s super delegates conference, scheduled for Saturday, August 26, is strictly forbidden.
Engaging in such activities would constitute a breach of electoral regulations, subject to punitive actions.
The Committee issued this warning during a press conference held on Monday, August 21.
During the conference, the Committee addressed a range of issues pertaining to the upcoming party conferences scheduled for both August and November.
The Super Delegates conference, set to take place on August 26, is anticipated to narrow down the pool of aspirants from 10 to 5, facilitating the subsequent general delegates’ conference in November, where the party’s flagbearer will be elected.
“Certain concerns have been raised regarding the practice that has unfortunately gained traction in Ghanaian politics, where photographs are taken to solicit funds from aspirants. We want to stress that the integrity of the voting process hinges on safeguarding the secrecy of each voter’s choice,” the Committee warned.
“Consequently, it is of paramount importance that no voter brings a mobile phone into the vicinity of the voting booth during the actual voting process. Any individual found violating this rule will face legal consequences as prescribed by the law,” it emphasized.
Below is the test of the press statement
PRESS CONFERENCE HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2023, BY THE NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS COMMITTEE AT THE PARTY HEADQUARTERS, ASYLUM DOWN, ACCRA
Ladies and gentlemen of the press,
National Officers Present,
Members of the Committee,
Good morning,
We are honored to convene this press conference today, Monday, August 21, 2023, to provide an update on the work of the New Patriotic Party Presidential Elections Committee set up by the National Council of the Party to oversee the election of the
Party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 general election. Our commitment to transparency and effective communication require us to share our activities with the public in general and, in particular, the media.
Introduction
The National Council, at its meeting held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, constituted the Presidential Elections Committee. The committee was entrusted with the responsibility of managing the entire presidential election process.
The Committee is made up of the following:
- Rt. Hon. Prof. Mike Aaron Ocquaye, Chairman
- Kwabena Abankwah-Yeboah, Vice Chairman
- William Yamoah, Member/Secretary
- Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Member
- Emmanuel James Flolu, Member
- Rita Talata Asobayire, Member
- Evans Nimako, Member
- Philip Kwesi Nkrumah (Esq.), Member
- Afua Gyekyewaa, Member
Inauguration of the committee
The National Chairman and the General Secretary inaugurated the Committee on Monday, July 24, 2023, at the Party’s Headquarters, Asylum Down.
Terms of Reference
The Committee’s mandate include the planning, organization, supervision, and execution of the Party’s presidential elections encompassing both the Special Electoral College and the Main Election (Congress), scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2023, and Saturday, November 4, 2023, respectively.
Additionally, the committee is vested with fostering harmonious relationships with external stakeholders to ensure a successful electoral process. We have so far demonstrated our commitment to executing our duties impartially and with unwavering integrity.
Events and committee activities
The Committee, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has developed a comprehensive set of operational rules and regulations to guide us as well as all who are involved in this exercise, including the presidential aspirants and the delegates.
So far, the Committee has held twelve (12) sessions, which include meetings, engagements, and consultations with all stakeholders. Furthermore, productive interactions have occurred with aspirants and their appointed representatives, resulting in consensus building.
Based on these interactions, we have been able to achieve the following milestones:
- Formulation of operational guidelines that outline procedures and regulations for the Special Electoral College.
These guidelines outline the procedures rules, and regulations for the Special Electoral College, which is to elect five (5) presidential aspirants for the national congress. The updated operational guidelines have been shared among all aspirants and relevant key stakeholders.
- Successful ballot casting on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
The Elections Committee, in collaboration with officials from the Electoral Commission of Ghana, successfully conducted a balloting exercise for the candidates. Below is the order in which the candidates will appear on the ballot:
- Kennedy Ohene Agyapong
- Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen
- Joe Ghartey
- Kwadwo Poku
- Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto
- Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong
- Ing. Francis Addai-Nimoh
- Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku
- Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko
- E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
- Circulation of the album (voter register) among aspirants for review and verification.
To ensure utmost transparency and credibility, the Elections Committee made the album (voter register) available to all aspirants on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. This provision allowed the aspirants one week for thorough examination and verification of the album for necessary corrections.
- Dissemination of the Notice of Polls to Regions and Constituencies on Monday, August 7, 2023
- Establishment of effective communication channels to keep stakeholders informed.
Secured venues across regional capitals for voting
- Ashanti KNUST, Law Faculty, Kumasi
- Ahafo Pastoral Center, Goaso
- Bono Pastoral Centre, Sunyani
- Bono East Kokroko Social Centre, Techiman
- Central Quadrangle, UCC, Cape Coast
- Eastern Koforidua Secondary Technical School
- Greater Accra YMCA, Adabraka, Accra
- Northern Region Tamale College of Education, Tamale
- North East Nalerigu Secondary School
- Savannah Damango Youth Center
- Upper East Bolgatanga Technical University Library Complex
- Upper West Old UDS Campus, WA
- Oti Dambai College of Education
- Volta Catholic Secretariat (Bishop Konings Centre), Ho
- Western Great Hall, Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi
- Western North Pastoral Center, Sefwi-Wiawso
- National Headquarters, NPP HQ, Asylum Down
- Security Arrangements
Security arrangements have been made. We are pleased to inform all party faithful, sympathizers, stakeholders, aspirants, and the public that the committee has entrusted the police to take full and absolute control of the security. Stakeholders are therefore urged to abide by the rules and regulations governing the electoral process as set out in the guidelines. In this regard, no other security will be permitted at the various voting centers. Persons who are not delegates will be restricted from going beyond a designated security zone set up by the police.
Special Electoral College composition
Nine hundred and fifty-six (956) delegates are expected to participate in this election.
As per the NPP Constitution, the Special Electoral College comprises representatives from various Party entities, including
- The National Council ii. The National Executive Committee iii. All Regional Executive Committee iv. All Members of the National Council of Elders v. All the Party Members of Parliament vi. Three (3) representatives of each of the special organs of the Party vii. Past National Officers viii. Three (3) representatives each from every external branch (27 Branches in all) ix. Founding Members during the registration of the Party at the Electoral Commission
- All Party Card bearing Ministers
Proxy applications
The Committee has received twenty (20) proxy applications, as of the submission deadline. Regrettably, one of the applicants has been called to eternity.
Voting centers and rules
Voting centers are designated according to delegate categories. Voting rules emphasize free, fair, and confidential balloting. Actions such as multiple voting, trading of votes, coercion, obstruction, and the display of marked ballots are prohibited at all voting centers.
Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commission shall supervise the conduct of the election. The Electoral Commission is entrusted with ensuring full compliance and implementation of the Operational Guidelines for the Special Electoral College Election. The EC supervised the printing of the Notice of Poll, the printing of the ballot papers, and their dispatch to all regional voting centers across the country.
All persons are kindly entreated to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the party and the Electoral Commission.
The following categories of delegates shall vote at the following centers:
National Headquarters Center
- National Council and National Executive Committee Members
- National Council of Elders
- Past National Executives
- Sector Ministers who are non-MPs
- External Branch Delegates
- Special Wings Delegates
16 regional voting centers
- Founding Members
- Regional Executive Committee Members
- Members of Parliament
- Regional Representatives to the National Council
- Regional Ministers
Mutual agreement
The committee and presidential aspirants agreed on several critical measures, including refraining from appointing active government officials or delegates as agents, enforcing restrictions on phones and electronic devices at voting screens, using complex serial numbers on ballots, denying access to all persons that will act in such manner that will undermine the credibility of the process.
Important dates and procedures
The Special Electoral College election will occur on Saturday, August 26, 2023, across all 16 regional capitals and the Party Headquarters, Asylum Down. Voting will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Delegates may be required to present their Party Membership Identity (I.D.) Cards, National Voters I.D. Cards, or Ghana Cards for identification. Ballot shall be counted and result announced immediately after the polls in the full glare of the public.
Collation of results
Results will be collated at the Electoral Commission Head Office in Accra with the participation of aspirants and/or representatives. The EC will officially declare the results at the NPP Headquarters, Asylum Down.
Resolutions to Addressed Queries:
Our concerted efforts have been dedicated to addressing various queries that arose during the process. Particular emphasis was placed on resolving issues related to the voter register. To uphold the highest standards of transparency, we distributed the provisional voter register to the aspirants and encouraged a comprehensive review to identify and report any discrepancies. Subsequently, we received valuable feedback from the aspirants regarding instances of omissions, duplications, and related concerns. We are pleased to confirm that all such concerns have been diligently rectified.
Clarification Regarding the Status of Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare:
An issue was raised about the status of Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare. Per the records of the Party Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare is a member of the National Executive Committee. By virtue of her being a representative of the patrons at NEC., gives her the right to vote
Serialization Mechanism for Vote Confidentiality:
Aspirants were concerned about the potential traceability of votes to individual voters and expressed apprehensions. This apprehension has been effectively managed through the implementation of intricate serial numbers comprising a combination of characters. This strategic approach ensures that no individual can decipher the voting patterns of specific voters after the voting process concludes.
This measure guarantees the integrity and confidentiality of the voting exercise.
Restrictions on Phone Usage at Voting Booths:
We wish to empasize that capturing images of cast ballots is strictly prohibited and constitutes a breach of electoral regulations, warranting punitive actions. Concerns were raised about countering the practice that has become prevalent in Ghanaian politics, where photographs are taken to solicit funds from aspirants. We emphasize that the sanctity of the voting process is contingent upon the secrecy of each voter’s choice. Accordingly, it is imperative that no voter bring a mobile phone into the vicinity of the voting booth during the actual voting procedure. Offenders or violators who will be caught shall be dealt with according to the law.
Secure Storage of Ballot Papers:
Additionally, participants will be required to provide their own seals, and the ballot papers will be entrusted to the custody of the Electoral Commission. These sealed ballot papers will remain inviolate unless an order is issued by the High Court.
These measures collectively underscore our commitment to fostering a fair, impartial, and credible electoral process, and we appreciate your cooperation in upholding the integrity of our democratic principles.
Accreditation
We are taking this opportunity to invite the media to cover the process. There will be no special accreditation for the media. The police will facilitate your movement.
Appreciation and collaboration
We extend our gratitude to the aspirants, the public, the EC, the police, and stakeholders for their feedback and collaboration, as well as all those who have significantly facilitated our process. We anticipate enhanced cooperation as we continue our journey.
However, we wish to reiterate once again that, the committee is indeed committed to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections without any bias, fear, or favor and wishes to encourage aspirants and their representativres to refrain from disseminating information that seeks to undermine the credibility and integrity of the committee and the party.
Long live the NPP,
Long live our mother Ghana,
Thank You