The sorting and counting of ballots in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Greater Accra Regional executive elections have been delayed following a disagreement over which positions should be counted first.
Incumbent Regional Secretary and re-election aspirant, Odarlai Parker, accused outgoing Regional Chairman Divine Otoo Agorhom of attempting to influence the process despite no longer contesting the election.
According to Mr Parker, some aspirants are pushing for the chairmanship ballots to be sorted and counted first because the race is among the most closely watched contests.
He argued that there was no rule requiring the election committee to begin with other positions before counting the chairmanship ballots.
“All we are saying is that they should start with the chairmanship. Then the other portfolios can continue,” he said.
Mr Parker also questioned the role of Mr Agorhom in directing proceedings at the collation centre, arguing that both he and the outgoing chairman should not be treated the same way because Mr Agorhom is not a contestant.
“If he’s regional chairman, I am regional secretary. So if he’s there directing, I can also be there to direct. I am going for an election. For him, he’s not going for an election,” he said.
He further alleged that Mr Agorhom was seeking to influence the process in favour of another candidate, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
The disagreement has temporarily stalled the sorting and counting as aspirants and officials work to reach an agreement on the procedure.
Mr Parker insisted that the process must be transparent and acceptable to all contestants, stressing that he would oppose any action that could undermine the credibility of the elections.
The Greater Accra Regional elections form part of the NPP’s ongoing internal reorganisation as the party seeks to strengthen its structures and prepare for the 2028 general elections.
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