The Presidential Elections Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced guidelines for the party’s forthcoming Special Electoral College Elections.

A statement issued by the committee, signed by its secretary, William Yamoah explained that the guidelines have been formulated “after extensive consultations with the various stakeholders including the Presidential Aspirants.”

The statement expressed the “sincere gratitude to all for your cooperation as we pursue an equitable and transparent process to elect a Presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections.”

The guidelines outline procedures and rules for the Special Electoral College, which will elect five Presidential Aspirants for the NPP’s national congress.

The election which will take place on Saturday, 26^th August, 2023, at all the 16 Regional capitals nationwide and the Party Headquarters, Asylum Down, making 17 voting centres in all, will be conducted by the Electoral Commission of Ghana, with assistance from the Presidential Elections Committee and the Ghana Police Service shall.

“In effect, there shall be one Centre in each Regional Capital as follows;

Composition of the Special Electoral College

The Special Electoral College shall comprise the following Delegates:
i. 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
x. All Party Card bearing Ministers.

According to the guidelines, voting shall be by secret ballot and “Every delegate shall be entitled for one vote and must cast their vote for a single aspirant of their choice.

Proxy Voting

It also indicates that there would be proxy voting, however, the deadline for the submission of application is Wednesday 2^nd August, 2023 at 5:00pm.

“To successfully file for a proxy, one should show proof of ABSENCE thus, Evidence of travel outside the country, medical report and other documentary evidence.

“An affidavit must accompany every application.

A “Proxy list will be published in the newspapers for public information and verification”, and reminded all that “Any false affidavit is a criminal offence and will be reported to appropriate authorities when a challenge is raised.

The guideline also stipulated that only delegates to the Electoral College shall have the right to vote by proxy.

Electoral College Album:

The only Register for the conduct of the elections, according to the Presidential Elections Committee, shall be the Electoral College Album, submitted to the Electoral Commission and the Presidential Aspirants.

“To ensure utmost transparency and credibility, the Elections Committee shall make the validated Album (voter register) available to all participating Aspirants no later than Wednesday, July 26, 2023. This provision allows one week for thorough examination and verification of the album before the Special College date.”

The following categories of Delegates shall vote at the various voting centres as indicated;

National Headquarters Centre

• National Council and National Executive Committee Members
• National Council of Elders
• Past National Executives
• Sector Ministers
• External Branch Delegates
• Special Wings Delegates

Regional Voting Centres

• Founding Members
• Regional Executive Committee Members
• Members of Parliament
• Regional Representatives to National Council
• Regional Ministers