Violence, court injunctions and internal disputes disrupted the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Constituency Executive Elections in parts of the country on Saturday, leaving one person injured, three others arrested and several constituency polls either suspended or postponed.
The most dramatic incident occurred in the Bantama Constituency in the Ashanti Region, where chaos erupted after a group of unidentified men allegedly invaded the election venue and disrupted the voting process.
The violence reportedly broke out after some party members led a group of thugs to the venue, insisting that the elections should not proceed because an injunction had been secured by aggrieved party members.
According to eyewitnesses, the group stormed the polling centre, destroyed election materials and challenged the legitimacy of officials conducting the exercise, arguing that they were not officers of the Electoral Commission (EC) and therefore had no authority to supervise the election.
“Machomen invaded the venue and started smashing EC items; one person is injured. The police acted unprofessionally when they arrived at the scene. The election is on hold now,” one witness said.
The disturbance forced the suspension of the electoral process at the Kumasi Cultural Centre, where delegates had gathered to elect new constituency executives.
Police officers were deployed to restore order, with three suspects arrested in connection with the violence.
The Bantama Constituency had already been at the centre of controversy ahead of the elections following accusations and counter-accusations between the incumbent Constituency Chairman and the First Vice Chairman over the alleged removal of some delegates’ names from the electoral album.
The injunction restraining the elections was obtained by three NPP members Paul Asare, Marcus James Kwadwo Osei and Enoch Ofori Amanfo.
The applicants sought an order restraining the NPP national headquarters, the supervisor of the constituency elections and the Bantama Constituency from conducting the elections.
Despite the injunction having reportedly been served on the respondents, some party officials allegedly proceeded with the electoral process, leading to the confrontation.
Meanwhile, in the Central Region, the Assin Fosu High Court suspended the NPP’s Constituency Executive Elections in the Assin South Constituency after granting a 10-day interlocutory injunction.
The legal action followed a suit by some party members who alleged that aspects of the nomination process breached the party’s constitution, electoral regulations and guidelines, further deepening divisions within the constituency.
Speaking to journalists, the NPP Election Officer for the Nyankumasi Ahenkuro Electoral Area, David Kwabena Marfo, said all preparations for the elections had been completed before officials received news of the court order.
According to him, delegates had already assembled and were ready to cast their ballots when the injunction was communicated to election officials, making it impossible for the EC and the security agencies to supervise the exercise.
Mr Marfo explained that concerns raised by some party members after the nomination process had prompted the court action, resulting in the suspension of the elections.
He also accused the party’s First National Vice Chairman, Smith Danquah, popularly known as “Chairman Buttey”, of deepening divisions within the constituency in pursuit of what he described as personal interests.
Mr Marfo appealed to the NPP’s National Executive Committee, the Steering Committee a
nd the General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, to intervene and resolve the impasse.
“This decision has been taken for selfish interests and not in the collective interest of the party,” he said.
Several delegates expressed disappointment over the suspension, describing it as a setback to the party’s internal democratic process.
They urged the national leadership to act swiftly to resolve the dispute and protect the party’s electoral fortunes in Assin South, which they described as the NPP’s only parliamentary seat in the area.
Elsewhere, constituency executive elections proceeded in most parts of the Eastern Region.
Voting was successfully conducted in 29 of the region’s 33 constituencies.
However, elections in the Akyem Swedru Constituency were suspended following a court injunction relating to the earlier electoral area coordinator elections.
In the Akyem Oda Constituency, voting was postponed to this week after the party extended the election timetable to give contestants adequate time to prepare following the death of the personal assistant to the constituency’s Member of Parliament.
At Abetifi, constituency executives were elected unopposed by acclamation on Friday, while the Akropong Constituency was scheduled to hold its elections on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
The disruptions in several constituencies highlight growing internal tensions within the NPP as the party conducts nationwide elections to elect new constituency executives ahead of future national contests.
The NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has congratulated all newly elected Constituency Executives following the successful constituency elections held across the country.
In a press release issued on Saturday, July 11, Dr. Bawumia commended the candidates for their willingness to serve the party and the people of Ghana.
“To all candidates in our constituency elections across the country, I extend my warmest wishes as you offer yourselves to serve our great New Patriotic Party and the people of Ghana. Your willingness to lead and contribute to the progress of our party is commendable and reflects the enduring strength of our democratic tradition,” he said.
He urged all party members to remain united regardless of the outcome of the elections, stressing that the NPP is one family with a shared goal.
“Let us remember that, regardless of the outcomes, we remain members of one family with a shared commitment to rebuilding and advancing our party and our beloved nation,” he added.
Dr. Bawumia further called on elected executives and other members to rally behind those chosen and work together with renewed purpose.
“When the elections are concluded, let us rally behind those elected and work together with renewed purpose and determination,” he said.
He expressed hope that the elections would strengthen the party’s unity and prepare it for future contests.
“May these elections strengthen our unity and position our party for the greater tasks ahead,” he concluded.
The constituency executive elections form part of the NPP’s internal reorganisation process following its defeat in the 2024 general elections, aimed at strengthening the party’s structures ahead of the 2028 elections.
Some constituencies were, however, excluded from the exercise due to pending court cases and other disagreements.
