The Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) USA branch, Yaa Frimpomaa Amponsah, has raised concerns that the party’s decision to maintain a ban on proxy voting for the 2026 presidential primaries risks disenfranchising loyal delegates, particularly those living abroad, students, and other vulnerable members.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Friday, November 21, Amponsah argued that proxy voting is a legally recognised provision under Ghana’s electoral regulations and should not be ignored for the sake of administrative convenience. She cited Regulation 25 of CI 127, which allows sick, disabled, and otherwise unable-to-attend members to vote through proxies.
“Our position is simple. Proxy voting is enshrined in law to protect members who, due to circumstances beyond their control, cannot participate in person,” Amponsah said. She added that no internal committee has the authority to override electoral statutes and that sidelining the provision undermines both the rights of delegates and the democratic process.
The NPP USA Chair stressed that adherence to the law is essential to preserve the integrity of the elections. “For you to sacrifice the statute on the altar of convenience is a disservice to the people who have dedicated themselves to the party, those studying, or those living abroad. They have a lawful right to vote, and it must be respected,” she noted.
Amponsah’s concerns highlight a growing tension within the party, as the Presidential Elections Committee, chaired by Joe Osei Owusu, maintains that the ban is necessary to ensure transparency and prevent electoral incidents. Under this ruling, all delegates must be physically present at polling stations to cast their votes in the upcoming primaries.
The debate underscores a broader challenge for political parties in balancing administrative efficiency with the legal and democratic rights of their members—a conversation that may shape participation and turnout in the 2026 NPP presidential primaries.
