The Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Presidential Elections Committee, Joseph Osei Owusu, has announced that there shall be no proxy voting in the party’s upcoming Presidential Primaries slated for Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Addressing a press conference at the NPP headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra, on Thursday, Mr. Osei Owusu, popularly known as Joe Wise, said the directive formed part of a broader framework aimed at ensuring a transparent, credible, and fair electoral process.
He stressed that “there shall be no proxy voting for the Saturday, January 31, 2026 Presidential Primary,” adding that members who have forfeited their membership under Article 3(9)(1) of the NPP Constitution would not be eligible to take part in the elections.
“Members who have forfeited their membership under Article 3(9)(1) shall be excluded from the process. Therefore, they shall not participate or vote in the Presidential election on Saturday, January 31, 2026,” he stated.
The press briefing, which marked the Committee’s first public engagement since its formation, provided an official update on preparations toward the primaries and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability throughout the process.
According to Mr. Osei Owusu, the Presidential Elections Committee was constituted by the National Council on Friday, July 25, 2025, with a mandate to plan, organise, supervise, and execute the entire presidential election process.
He said the Committee’s operational philosophy had been guided by proactive engagement, early dispute resolution, and open communication, all designed to build confidence in the process and avert suspicion.
“The Committee has from inception maintained a zero-tolerance policy for opacity, ensuring that all issues are handled expeditiously and transparently to uphold the sanctity of the process,” Joe Wise noted.
Among the major updates shared at the press conference were the successful balloting of candidates and the completion of the operational guidelines for the election. The candidates will appear on the ballot in the following order; Hon. Ken Ohene Agyapong, Hon. Dr. Bryan Acheampong, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum and Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.
Mr. Osei Owusu also disclosed that the Electoral Commission will have full oversight over the conduct of the election, including the printing and distribution of ballot papers, as well as supervision at voting centres. The Ghana Police Service, he said, has been granted exclusive authority over election security, with no private or unauthorised security arrangements permitted at any polling centre.
Access to voting areas, he added, will be limited strictly to accredited delegates, aspirants’ agents, and electoral officials, while all other individuals must remain outside the designated perimeters.
Touching on the voter album verification and validation exercise, the Committee Chair confirmed that the process had been successfully concluded across all constituencies and external branches. He admitted that a few clerical and IT-related discrepancies were identified, including minor omissions and misspelt names, but assured that these were being corrected without affecting the integrity of the voter register.
He further announced that provisional voter registers would be distributed to aspirants on Thursday, November 13, 2025, followed by a two-week period for verification and feedback before finalisation.
As part of upcoming activities, the Committee will hold meetings with presidential candidates, the Electoral Commission, and the Ghana Police Service to discuss the election roadmap, guidelines, and security arrangements. A conference involving the candidates, National Council of Elders, and former presidents will also be organised to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (Peace Pact) ahead of the January 31 elections.
Mr. Osei Owusu expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, including the aspirants, Electoral Commission, Ghana Police Service, and the media, for their cooperation and constructive engagement so far.
“As we advance toward the 2026 Presidential Primaries, we reaffirm our dedication to a free, fair, transparent, and credible electoral process — one conducted without fear, favour, or bias,” he said.
He further urged aspirants, supporters, and media outlets to exercise restraint and responsibility in their commentary and avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine public confidence in the process.
“Together, we will uphold the NPP’s tradition of democratic excellence and institutional discipline,” he affirmed.
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