Opoku Boateng, a member of the New Patriotic Party’s United States branch, has publicly urged the party to hold its elections in person and to release a definitive timetable before the November 30 deadline for outstanding polls.
In a statement released earlier this week, Boateng criticised the committee overseeing the NPP‑USA elections for what he described as inadequate communication. He noted that members have yet to receive an election date, a published timetable, or the register of eligible voters.
“Members are not asking for miracles. They are asking for a timetable,” Boateng said, citing a directive issued on October 29, 2026, by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua that all pending elections must be completed by November 30.
Boateng warned that the lack of a clear roadmap hampers members’ preparation and candidates’ campaign planning. He explained that the NPP‑USA election, originally slated for July 2026, was postponed after disagreements over an electronic voting system developed by NPP Ghana.
According to Boateng, members questioned the platform’s independence and its lack of testing in Ghanaian elections. “Rejecting a particular voting platform does not mean rejecting democracy, technology, or the desire to elect leaders,” he said. “Rather, it reflects a desire to ensure that whatever electoral system is adopted commands the confidence of the people who will use it.”
As an alternative, Boateng proposed holding votes at individual chapters, with results collated at the NPP‑USA branch level. He also called for a regulated proxy voting arrangement for members who cannot attend physically, insisting that it include verification and accountability measures to prevent duplication, impersonation, and abuse.
Boateng questioned how the electoral committee had been constituted, alleging that the General Secretary established it directly without consulting NPP‑USA executives. He urged the committee to engage chapter leaders, executives, candidates, and members to address concerns and build confidence in the process.
His demands include publishing the voter register, allowing members to verify their eligibility, and clarifying voting and results‑cancellation procedures. He cautioned against waiting until the final days before the deadline to announce arrangements, warning that “a credible election cannot be organised through last‑minute announcements, hurried arrangements, and inadequate communication.”
While acknowledging the importance of meeting the deadline, Boateng said speed should not come at the expense of fairness. “There is a difference between completing an election before a deadline and conducting an election that members can genuinely trust,” he added. He appealed to members to remain united despite differences over candidates and voting methods, emphasizing that the priority should be an election that strengthens the branch.
