Alleged Irregularities Mar NPP Electoral Area Elections in Bibiani Constituency

The Electoral Area Coordinators elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Constituency in the Western North Region have been hit by allegations of widespread irregularities, with aggrieved constituency executives demanding the immediate annulment of the process.

In a petition dated June 14, 2026 and addressed to the party’s General Secretary, the executives accused election organisers of constitutional breaches, disenfranchisement of eligible members, and administrative chaos since voting began on June 13.

Disputed vetting exercise fuels tension

According to the petitioners, a re-vetting exercise conducted for the Bekwai Zone at Awaso was carried out without the approval of the Constituency Executive Committee or the then Regional Representative, Hon. Samuel Kofi Abbiaw.

They alleged that the National Secretariat had already raised concerns over claims that Mr. Othniel Amankwah impersonated the Regional Representative in connection with the exercise.

The exercise reportedly resulted in a new vetting list and Notice of Poll issued by the Constituency Chairman, which disqualified members who did not participate in the Awaso process. However, Hon. Abbiaw also produced an alternative list based on the original Sefwi Bekwai vetting, recognising all dues-paying members—creating two conflicting voter registers.

Suspension lifted without official communication

The petition further stated that although National leadership initially suspended the process, the suspension was allegedly lifted on June 12, 2026 without any written directive to the Constituency Executive Committee.

A new election timetable was subsequently circulated on social media, scheduling voting from June 13 to June 15, without any formal briefing to local executives, the petitioners claimed.

Chaos and allegations of manipulation

The executives described the first day of voting in Bethlehem, Basengele, and Lineso as chaotic, citing disorder, arbitrary disqualifications, and alleged harassment of aspirants who presented valid National Secretariat receipts.

They further accused the Constituency Chairman of allegedly threatening to input preferred outcomes into the results system in areas resisting the process.

Voting was reportedly disrupted in Bethlehem, Basengele, Hwenampori, and Wenchi, with tensions resulting in confrontations and alleged physical altercations.

Petition for National intervention

The aggrieved executives are calling on the NPP National Leadership to annul the entire Electoral Area Coordinators elections in the constituency and declare Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai a special case for direct supervision by the National Secretariat.

They are also demanding a clear written roadmap before any fresh polls are conducted, alongside joint National-Regional IT oversight for transparent collation of results.

Additionally, they are urging an audit of vetting records against the party’s national dues database to ensure no qualified member is disenfranchised over the disputed re-vetting exercise.

They further want disciplinary action taken against officials alleged to have attempted to manipulate election results.

At the time of filing this report, neither the General Secretary’s office nor the Constituency Chairman had responded to the petition.

By Daniel Akwasi Nuakoh, Bibiani