The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially opened the process for its next national executive elections, setting October 3, 2026, as the date for members to choose a new national leadership team.
The nomination process will begin on August 17 and close on August 22, according to a timetable issued by the party’s National Elections Committee (NEC).
The elections will determine occupants of key positions including National Chairperson, Vice Chairpersons, General Secretary, Treasurer, Organiser, Women Organiser, Youth Organiser, Nasara Organiser and Communications Director.
The NEC, chaired by Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah, said completed nomination forms would 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 aggrieved aspirants given September 6 and 7 to appeal against decisions.
Aspirants face strict eligibility requirements
The party has outlined a number of requirements for members seeking to contest the national positions.
Aspirants must have been known and active registered members of the NPP for at least two years, be in good standing and have paid their membership dues for the preceding two years.
They must also pay the prescribed nomination fee and satisfy the National Vetting Committee that they meet the requirements for the position they seek.
For the National Youth Organiser position, candidates must be below 40 years.
Each nomination form must also be endorsed by at least one eligible member in good standing from each of Ghana’s 16 regions.
The party said the responsibility rests with every aspirant to demonstrate to the NEC that all eligibility and qualification requirements have been met.
Members of the NEC themselves will not be permitted to contest the elections. Any committee member who decides to seek office will have to be replaced by the National Executive Committee.
Nomination fees announced
The NPP has pegged the nomination fee for the National Chairperson position at GH¢50,000, while candidates seeking the Vice Chairperson positions will pay GH¢30,000.
The fee for the General Secretary position is GH¢25,000.
Aspirants for other national executive positions will pay GH¢10,000, while candidates for the Nasara, Women and Youth wings will pay GH¢8,000.
Payments can be made in cash or by cash cheque at the party’s National Headquarters at Asylum Down.
The party said aspirants who pay the applicable fees will be issued official receipts, which must be presented before the relevant nomination forms are obtained.
Nomination forms will also be available for download from the party’s website. However, applicants using the online option will still be required to pay the prescribed fee and obtain an official receipt before their completed forms are accepted.
Electoral college defined
The October election will be conducted by the NEC under the supervision of the Electoral Commission of Ghana and in accordance with the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574).
The electoral college, as provided for under Article 10(3) of the NPP Constitution, 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, TESCON Presidents from recognised tertiary institutions, 30 National Patrons elected from among themselves and founding members who signed the party’s registration documents at the Electoral Commission.
NPP Members of Parliament and members of the National Women, Youth and Nasara Wings will also participate in the electoral arrangements.
For the National Women Organiser position, female delegates at the National Delegates Conference, including TESCON Women Commissioners, will be eligible to vote.
Similarly, the National Youth Organiser will be elected by youth delegates at the National Delegates Conference, including TESCON Presidents from accredited institutions.
The National Nasara Organiser will be elected by Nasara coordinators and deputies at the national, regional, constituency and external branch levels, as well as TESCON Nasara Coordinators and former national Nasara leaders.
At least one-third of delegates to the National Delegates Conference must be present for the meeting to constitute a quorum.
Final stages before the polls
The NEC and National Council are expected to meet on September 10, while the official Notice of Poll will be issued on September 14.
The notice will be posted at the party’s National Secretariat at least one clear week before the election.
The National Vetting Committee, chaired by Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has been tasked with assessing all aspirants and recommending disqualification where candidates fail to meet the required eligibility conditions.
Candidates dissatisfied with decisions of the Vetting Committee may petition the Appeals Committee, chaired by Mr Joe Ghartey.
The Appeals Committee is required to determine petitions within 48 hours. An aggrieved petitioner may subsequently appeal to the National Executive Committee, whose decision will be final and binding.
The NPP has consequently urged members and prospective aspirants to familiarise themselves with the timetable, eligibility requirements and other procedures ahead of the October 3 national executive elections.
