The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially announced the postponement of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Primaries in the Sunyani East constituency. This decision has left delegates in the constituency unable to participate in the upcoming NPP poll scheduled for Saturday, November 4, where a flagbearer for the 2024 election will be elected.
Party sources revealed that the delay is a result of a high court ruling in Sunyani, which invalidated the constituency album. This legal action was initiated by certain dissatisfied members of the party regarding the constituency primaries. Notably, last year, the High Court in Sunyani ordered the NPP in the Sunyani East Constituency to set aside a purported album used during the constituency elections.
The court’s ruling, presided over by Douglas Seidu, highlighted the absence of polling station executive elections and electoral area coordinator elections before the constituency elections could take place. This decision followed a lawsuit filed by four party members who contested the validity of the election album, alleging it was improperly produced.
In response, the High Court instructed the National Headquarters of the NPP to remove the names of individuals purportedly elected as polling station executives and electoral area coordinators or officers for the Sunyani East Constituency from its national database.
On a separate note, Mr. Young Asirifi, the Bono Regional Director of the EC, confirmed the region’s readiness to conduct the presidential primary. He stated that the EC had received election materials, securely stored in the regional armory. Preparations for the election were completed, and electoral officers had been engaged and trained.
Furthermore, more than 6,000 delegates are expected to cast their ballots in the presidential primary, which will take place in the 10 remaining constituencies of the region. Mr. Kofi Ofosu Boateng, the Bono Regional Secretary of the NPP, assured that the police had guaranteed absolute security for the event, and all electoral processes were under the purview of the EC. The arrangements are in place for the successful execution of the elections.