NPP Presidential Elections Committee releases strict protocols ahead of January 31 Primary
The Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has released a comprehensive set of strict protocol and security measures ahead of the party’s presidential primary scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, assuring aspirants and delegates of a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.
A statement signed by William Yamoah, Secretary of the Presidential Elections Committe said it had entrusted the entire conduct of the elections to the Electoral Commission (EC), with the Ghana Police Service solely responsible for security at all voting centres nationwide.
“The Committee has entrusted the entire electoral process into the hands of the Electoral Commission, which shall have the responsibility of ensuring a transparent, fair, and unfettered election,” the statement said.
According to the Committee, only accredited delegates, committee members, aspirants, and their officially designated agents will be allowed beyond the security perimeter. The Committee stressed that there will be no accreditation for observers, and any interested persons visiting voting centres must strictly comply with directives from the EC and the Police.
Delegates are required to present valid identification, including a voter ID, party card, passport, or Ghana Card, for verification at the initial police checkpoint.
While agents of presidential aspirants are permitted to carry mobile phones, the Committee warned that delegates will be restricted from taking phones or any electronic photographic devices into the voting booth.
The PEC further issued a stern warning against any attempt to compromise ballot secrecy.
“It is strictly prohibited to publicly display cast ballots, capture images of them, or make gestures to show whom one voted for. Anyone caught violating this provision shall be arrested, and his or her vote shall be declared a spoiled or rejected ballot,” the Committee cautioned.
To prevent undue influence on delegates, the Committee has directed all Regional Executive Committees to suspend any planned activities, including workshops, retreats, training programmes, or in-house meetings involving delegates, from Thursday, January 29, 2026, until the close of voting.
Voting will be conducted strictly as a walk-in exercise, similar to national elections. The Committee made it clear that no congregation or loitering will be permitted at voting centres.
Voting time has been fixed from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Additional measures include: No wearing of campaign colours, T-shirts, caps, or posters of aspirants at voting centres; No group or paired voting; Voting to take place in open spaces, not indoors; Delegates who have voted will not be re-admitted into the voting perimeter; and No addresses by national executives, former government officials, regional executives, aspirants, or their representatives on voting day.
“Any person found directing a delegate on who to vote for commits an offence and shall be removed by the police,” the Committee warned.
The Presidential Election Committee also directed presiding officers to issue ballot papers one delegate at a time, adding that ballots must not be torn from booklets in advance, and names of delegates must not be called out in queues.
Delegates with mobility challenges may only be assisted with the consent of the Electoral Commission.
The new measures, the PEC said, complement the existing Presidential Elections Operational Guidelines, reaffirming its commitment to the integrity of the process.
“We assure Presidential Candidate Aspirants, delegates, and the public of our unwavering commitment to ensuring free, fair, credible, and transparent elections,” the statement stressed
