No Telephones at Internal Polling Zones: NPP Warns Delegates Ahead of Saturday’s Presidential Polls

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a strict zero-tolerance directive ahead of its crucial presidential primary on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The party has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure election integrity and prevent vote-buying during this high-stakes internal election.

Key Points

Background

The NPP’s presidential primary represents a critical moment for Ghana’s leading political party as it selects its standard-bearer for the upcoming general election. With five prominent candidates vying for the nomination, the stakes are exceptionally high, making election security and integrity paramount concerns for party leadership.

The decision to ban mobile phones and foreign materials from polling zones stems from growing concerns about vote-buying practices that have plagued previous elections across Africa. Political parties have increasingly used photographic evidence of marked ballots as proof of voting loyalty in exchange for financial incentives.

Analysis

The NPP’s three-zone voting system represents a significant departure from traditional polling methods. By creating distinct areas for identification, briefing, and actual voting, the party aims to create multiple checkpoints that prevent unauthorized access and maintain ballot secrecy.

The approved identification requirements—voter’s ID card, NPP membership card, national passport, or Ghana card—ensure that only legitimate party delegates can participate in the primary. This multi-document approach reduces the risk of impersonation and unauthorized voting.

The controversial phone ban, while potentially inconvenient for delegates, addresses a genuine threat to electoral integrity. Ballot selfies have become a common method for vote-buyers to verify their investment, undermining the fundamental principle of secret ballots.

Practical Advice

Delegates planning to participate in the NPP presidential primary should prepare by:

1. **Locating and organizing approved identification documents** well in advance
2. **Arriving early** to navigate the three-zone system without rushing
3. **Leaving mobile phones and other electronic devices** at home or with trusted individuals outside the polling perimeter
4. **Reviewing the voting procedures** to understand the flow from outer to inner sections
5. **Bringing only permitted materials** into the polling zone

FAQ

Conclusion

The NPP’s stringent measures for its presidential primary reflect growing concerns about electoral integrity and the sophisticated methods used in vote-buying schemes. While the phone ban and three-zone system may seem excessive to some, they represent necessary steps to ensure that the party’s nomination process remains fair and transparent.

The success of these measures will likely influence how other political parties in Ghana and across Africa approach their internal elections. As the “Elephant Party” prepares to select its standard-bearer from five prominent candidates, the focus remains on maintaining the sanctity of the secret ballot while preventing external interference in the democratic process.

Sources

– Life Pulse Daily – “No telephones at internal polling zones: NPP warns delegates forward of Saturday’s presidential polls”
– Citi News Ghana – Interview with Isaac Baah Boamah, NPP Presidential Election Committee member
– Multimedia Group Limited – Official NPP election guidelines and directives

This comprehensive approach to election security demonstrates the NPP’s commitment to conducting a credible primary that will produce a legitimate presidential candidate for the upcoming general election.