The ongoing polling station registration exercise of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency in the Western region has been overshadowed by confusion, tension and near-violent confrontations across several electoral areas, raising concerns about the integrity and management of the process.

The exercise, intended to update the party’s polling station album and strengthen grassroots structures ahead of future internal activities, has been plagued by allegations of non-compliance with directives issued by the party’s national leadership.

Several party members and local coordinators have expressed frustration over what they describe as a deliberate deviation from the official guidelines governing the exercise.

At the centre of the controversy is the refusal of some electoral area coordinators to release the official polling station albums meant to be used for the registration of members. Instead, some coordinators have reportedly insisted on using ordinary exercise books to record names — a move many party members argue undermines transparency and the credibility of the process.

Further complicating the situation are allegations that the constituency secretary has released registration booklets to selected individuals believed to be his preferred persons, rather than to the officially recognised electoral area coordinators and polling station chairmen as directed by party guidelines.

Party members say this has created widespread suspicion and heightened tensions among grassroots supporters who fear the process could be manipulated.

In many polling stations, members have strongly resisted attempts to record their names in exercise books instead of the official party register.

This resistance has resulted in heated confrontations in several communities.

At Nkanponasi, the situation reportedly escalated into a physical altercation when party members clashed over who had the authority to take custody of the register.

Similar tensions were recorded in Nsuaem, Tarkwa Banso, Layout, Lowcost and several other polling stations, where disagreements over the use of unofficial recording materials nearly resulted in exchanges of blows.

Many party members have also expressed concern that a full schedule for the exercise has yet to be released, despite the register being opened more than a week ago. The lack of a clear timetable has further compounded confusion and mistrust among party faithful.

Observers within the constituency warn that growing frustration among grassroots members could escalate into more serious disturbances if urgent steps are not taken to restore order and enforce the party’s own guidelines.

They are therefore calling on the national leadership of the New Patriotic Party to intervene immediately to address the irregularities, ensure strict adherence to directives governing the exercise, and restore confidence among party members.

Failure to act swiftly, some warn, risks further escalation of tensions that could undermine party unity and stability in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency.