The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has approved proxy voting for its upcoming National Officers Elections scheduled for October 3.
The decision marks a shift from the party’s recent approach to proxy voting, which had been restricted in previous internal elections over concerns about possible abuse.
Proxy voting was notably banned during the NPP’s presidential primary in January, a decision that generated debate among some members and delegates.
However, Chairman of the National Officers Elections Committee (NOEC), Frederick Opare Ansah, said the party has now agreed to allow proxy voting to enable eligible members of the NPP’s diaspora to participate in the elections.
He explained that the arrangement forms part of efforts to ensure that party members who are unable to be physically present can still exercise their right to vote.
Meanwhile, the NPP has also expanded the number of delegates eligible to vote in the Youth Organizer category.
Mr Opare Ansah said all delegates below the age of 40 will now vote in the Youth Organizer category, departing from the previous arrangement where voting was limited to constituency, regional and national Youth Organizers, as well as Members of Parliament below 40.
The change has increased the number of delegates in the youth category to more than 2,000.
The October 3 elections will therefore feature both a return to proxy voting and a significantly expanded youth voting bloc as the party prepares to elect its next national officers.
