Some executives and members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ejisu Constituency have staged a protest against the proposed use of open voting by headcount in the upcoming polling station elections, insisting that secret balloting remains the most democratic and peaceful method of voting.
According to the aggrieved party members, adopting open voting could lead to intimidation, disunity and post-election tension. They argued that secret balloting protects the freedom, dignity and safety of voters while also helping to maintain peace and unity within the party.
The protesters stated that Ashanti Regional representatives had earlier directed that the Electoral Commission’s voters’ register be used for the elections, with voting to be conducted through secret balloting to ensure fairness, transparency and peaceful participation.
However, they alleged that the Member of Parliament for Ejisu and his supporters have opposed the directive.
According to them, the MP is insisting that the party’s membership register should be used for the exercise. They argued that participation in the recent membership registration exercise was low in several polling stations across the constituency, and that relying solely on the membership register could disenfranchise many loyal party supporters who remain committed to the party’s growth.
They warned that such a move could create resentment, frustration and apathy among members ahead of the 2028 general elections.
“Based on the developments outlined above, it is evident that some of the positions and actions taken by the Member of Parliament and his group have contributed significantly to the delay in conducting the polling station elections in the Ejisu Constituency,” one protester claimed.
Speaking during the protest, Dominic Danquah, Research and Elections Affairs Officer of the NPP in the Ejisu Constituency, called on regional executives to intervene immediately to prevent escalating tensions within the constituency.
“Currently, there is division in the constituency, and we cannot afford internal misunderstandings at a time when the party needs strong grassroots mobilisation and reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general elections,” he said.
He stressed that the interest of the party must always override personal interests, political control and future ambitions.
The protesting members, together with some constituency executives, including Chairman Kofi Ampofo, appealed to all stakeholders to prioritise unity and work together to ensure free, fair and transparent polling station elections in the Ejisu Constituency.
“We have no intention of unseating our Member of Parliament, but I don’t know how he thinks about us. We need unity and peace,” Chairman Kofi Ampofo said.
ALSO READ:
