Voting has ended in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Primaries in designated constituencies.
A total of 321 candidates are contending for tickets to represent the NPP in the 2024 parliamentary elections, with 33 of these candidates going unopposed. The Electoral Commission is supervising the election
The incumbent MP for Adansi Asokwa constituency in the Ashanti region, Kobina Tahir (K.T.) Hammond has retained his seat with a total of 311 votes representing 63.86%. His strongest contender, Samuel Darkwa Binfo came second with 125 votes representing 25.67%.
Also, the incumbent MP for the Bantama constituency in the Ashanti region, Francis Asenso-Boakye has retained his seat. He won with a total of 650 votes representing 78.22% while his contender, Raphael Agyepong trailed with a total of 181 votes representing 21.78%.
One person has been arrested for attempting to attack police at Weija constituency in the Greater Accra region.
Reports indicate that some individuals entered the voting centers without accreditations, leading to a confrontation between them and the police.
The Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo’s strong contender, Michael Oquaye Jnr., receives a warm welcome from delegates upon arriving at the election grounds.
Some female delegates are strongly kicking against the candidature of incumbent MP, Adwoa Safo insisting she has neglected the constituency and must not be given the nod again. They are, however, throwing their support behind Michael Oquaye Jnr.
The Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NPP, Daniel Nii Lai Parker, has refuted claims by one of the aspirants in the Ablekuma West constituency, Robert Kwesi Nicole, that his opponent and incumbent MP, Ursula Owusu-Ekufful is camping delegates contrary to the party’s directives.
Mr. Nicole made the allegations, insisting his opponents were being denied access to accreditation due to the camping.
But reacting to his claims, the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the party described the allegations as baseless.
Near confusion erupted at Nsawam Adoagyiri constituency in the Eastern region after some delegates were alleged to have shown their ballot to one Smart Amoafo, a supporter of the incumbent MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
Adansi Asokwa Member of Parliament (MP) Kobina Tahir (K.T.) Hammond has threatened to give his main contender in the New Patriotic Party primaries, Sammy Binfoh Darkwah a showdown.
The Trade and Industry Minister vowed to beat the Deputy CEO of the Ghana Library Authority mercilessly for allegedly using macho men to attack his supporters.
He said the attack occurred on Friday night, claiming some of the suspects came to his house to apologise after the act.
Police have whisked away the party secretary, who is alleged to be a polling agent for incumbent MP K.T. Hammond. The police have instructed that party executives leave the voting center until the election is over.
Already, all 14 executives of the party in the constituency have declared their support for the incumbent MP, KT Hammond.
Their absence from the center is to avoid any potential inducement.
Amidst escalating tension over accreditation and allegations of camping of delegates in the Ablekuma West constituency, MP Ursula Owusu-Ekufful has firmly refuted the claims of delegate manipulation at the Christian Home School.
She insists that all laid-down electoral protocols by the party are being strictly adhered to.
A parliamentary aspirant for the Bekwai constituency in the Ashanti region, Henry Opoku Ware alleges that certain candidates are engaging in the practice of offering gifts and bribes to delegates for their votes.
Henry, one of the four aspirants eyeing the seat, says the phenomenon of distributing television sets, microwaves, and GH₵4,000 among others to delegates raises questions about the fairness of the electoral process and the eventual outcomes.
Despite these concerns, he pledges not to address the issue to preserve peace in the region.
Some delegates in the Asokwa constituency in the Ashanti region are adamant about not casting their votes until they are provided with transportation.
They said that they do not know where the money will come from, but they insist that if they are not provided with money for transportation, they are not willing to cast their vote.
The incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome Kwabenya constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo, is currently present at the voting center. Upon arriving at the electoral grounds, the MP shared breakfast with the delegates.
Adwoa Safo faces competition from Sakyi Oppong Sheela Adoma, and Michael Aaron Yaw Nii Nortey Oquaye for the Dome Kwabenya seat.
Voting is currently underway at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Stadium, in Dormaa in the Bono Region. The incumbent MP and Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu faces strong competition from Dr. Yao Yeboaah, the former Board Chairman for Ghana Health Service and current Deputy CEO for VALCO.
Initially, 732 delegates were expected to cast their votes. However, information gathered indicates that 11 delegates are unavailable due to travel or, unfortunately, some have passed away. Therefore, a total of 722 delegates are expected to participate in today’s voting process.
Tensions are escalating in the Ablekuma West constituency as supporters of one of the contenders, Roni Kwesi Nicol, allege that they are facing access issues for accreditations at the gates.
Supporters of Roni claim that the incumbent MP and Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekufful is implicated in the situation, with accusations that she is involved in the accreditation process at the Christian Home School, where her PA is allegedly distributing accreditations to delegates.
A former Member of Parliament for the New Juaben North constituency and a founding member of the NPP, Hackman Owusu Agyemang faced an unexpected delay at the Effiduase Resource Center, the designated polling station for his vote.
Upon arrival, his name was notably mixed up in the voter album, leading to an approximately 10-minute wait before he was successfully cleared to cast his vote.
Despite the initial hiccup, Mr Agyemang expressed confidence in the unity prevailing after the ongoing contest. He emphasized that the NPP has gleaned valuable lessons from the 2008 election and is committed to breaking the eight-year cycle.
The Police have swiftly removed a delegate who attempted to capture his ballot using his phone after voting in the Ayawaso West.
Consequently, authorities have implemented a measure to collect phones from delegates at the final security checkpoint before entering the voting premises.
Correspondents have reported instances of delayed processes, as well as scuffles resulting from misunderstandings. In Pru West where Stephen Jalula, MP and Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways who is being contested by Alhaji Idrisu Gariba, former DCE for Pru District, an altercation has led to the hospitalisation of a party supporter, while at Twifo-Heman, supporters of the two candidates exchanged blows.
Voting started peacefully at the Akyem Swedru constituency in the Eastern Region where the Controller and Accountant General, Kwasi Kwaning Bosompeng is contesting the incumbent MP, Kennedy Osei Nyarko and Jeromy Kwame Akodor.
At Prang, Pru West constituency of the Bono East Region, the EC which was set to start on time had to wait for the agents of one of the candidates.
At Weija, scores of delegates were made to wait outside the voting perimeter for their names to be mentioned by party officials before being allowed within the voting center to cast their ballots.
The voting process officially began at 0700 hours and is slated to conclude at 1400 hours.
Agents representing the various parliamentary aspirants are actively present at the different voting centres to observe and monitor the proceedings.
To ensure the maintenance of law and order, there is a heavy police presence at the voting centers, strategically positioned to oversee the process.
Some delegates are facing restrictions from entering voting premises due to the absence of proper accreditation.