Sorting and counting of ballots are underway in several regions following the closure of polls at 2:00 p.m. in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) regional executive elections.
The exercise has generally been peaceful across the country, with no major incidents of violence reported so far.
The North East Region was among the first to complete voting, followed by the Northern, Western and Savannah Regions, where election officials have begun sorting and counting the ballots.
Security personnel were deployed at polling centres nationwide to maintain order and protect delegates, candidates and election officials.
In the Northern Region, about 300 police officers were deployed for the exercise. Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Lavoe, warned that the Police would deal firmly with anyone whose actions threatened the peace.
The Upper West Regional elections, however, experienced a temporary disruption at the Wa Technical Institute after some delegates from the Nandom Constituency interrupted the voting process.
Despite the incident, the elections in other regions have largely proceeded without major disruptions.
Party leaders have welcomed the conduct of the polls and urged candidates and their supporters to maintain mutual respect throughout the exercise.
The elections have also sparked discussions within the party about the NPP’s prospects ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Party leaders and lawmakers who spoke during the exercise stressed the need for unity, stronger grassroots structures and credible leadership, while acknowledging the challenges that contributed to the party’s performance in the 2024 elections.
There have also been calls for successful candidates to work with their opponents and other party members to rebuild the NPP ahead of the 2028 polls.
The regional elections form part of the NPP’s broader internal reorganisation, which began with polling station and constituency-level elections.
The newly elected regional executives will be responsible for overseeing the party’s activities at the regional level and helping to coordinate its preparations for the 2028 general elections.
While voting has ended in several regions, the focus is now on sorting, counting and collating the ballots, with results expected to be declared after the processes are completed.
Meanwhile, voting was still ongoing at the WAEC Hall in Tema West in the Greater Accra Region despite the scheduled 2:00 p.m. closing time.
Some delegates remained in queues waiting to cast their ballots about 50 minutes after the stipulated deadline.
“My tenure was difficult because I didn’t get support from NPP…
