The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has formally opened preparations for its October 3, 2026 National Executive Elections, with prospective candidates required to pay nomination fees ranging from GH¢8,000 to GH¢50,000.
The National Chairman position carries the highest fee of GH¢50,000, while aspirants for the Vice Chairperson positions will pay GH¢30,000 and those seeking the General Secretary position will pay GH¢25,000.
Candidates for other national executive positions will pay GH¢10,000, while aspirants for the Women, Youth and Nasara wings will pay GH¢8,000.
The nomination process begins on August 17 and closes on August 22, according to the timetable issued by the party’s National Elections Committee on August 11.
Completed nomination forms will be filed between August 23 and 27, followed by vetting from August 31 to September 3.
The outcome of the vetting exercise is expected to be published on September 5, with aspirants who are dissatisfied with the decisions given September 6 and 7 to file appeals.
The NPP’s National Executive Committee and National Council are scheduled to meet on September 10, while the Notice of Poll will be issued on September 14 ahead of the October 3 elections.
Eligibility requirements
The party has outlined strict requirements for members seeking to join its national leadership.
An aspirant must be a known and active registered member of the NPP for at least two years, be of good character and in good standing.
Candidates must also have paid their membership dues for at least the preceding two years, paid the applicable nomination fee and satisfied the National Vetting Committee that they qualify to contest.
Aspirants for National Youth Organiser must be below 40 years.
Their nomination forms must also receive endorsements from at least one member in good standing from each of Ghana’s 16 regions.
The Elections Committee has further stated that none of its members is eligible to contest the elections. Any committee member who decides to contest will have to be replaced by the National Executive Committee.
Vetting and appeals committees
The screening of candidates will be conducted by a nine-member National Vetting Committee chaired by former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
The committee includes Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Salifu Saeed, Ambassador Dr Barffour Agyei-Bawuah, Elizabeth Ohene, Osei Prempeh, Joyce Opoku Boateng and Arnold Boateng, with Evans Nimako serving as Secretary.
Candidates dissatisfied with the vetting outcome can petition the nine-member Appeals Committee chaired by former Attorney-General Joe Ghartey.
The Appeals Committee has been given 48 hours to determine petitions.
Where an aspirant remains dissatisfied with the outcome, a further appeal may be made to the National Executive Committee, whose decision will be final and binding.
Positions up for grabs
The October elections will determine occupants of several key national positions, including National Chairman, National Vice Chairpersons, General Secretary, National Treasurer, National Organiser, National Women Organiser, National Youth Organiser, National Nasara Organiser and National Communication Director.
Nomination fees will be paid in cash or by cash cheque at the party’s national headquarters at Asylum Down.
The NPP said aspirants may also download nomination forms from its website, but those using that option must still pay the prescribed fee and obtain an official receipt before their completed forms will be accepted.
Electoral college
The Electoral Commission is expected to conduct the elections under the supervision of the NPP National Elections Committee and in accordance with the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574).
The electoral college will include members of the National Council, National Executive Committee, Regional Executive Committees, Constituency Executive Committees and External Branch Executive Committees.
It will also include members of the National Council of Elders, the National TESCON Coordinator and TESCON presidents from recognised tertiary institutions.
The elections are expected to produce a new national leadership team as the opposition party works to reorganise its structures ahead of the next general election.
