A total of 8,534 delegates, are expected to cast their vote in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) January 31, 2026, presidential primaries in the Upper East Region.

Mr Peter Ayamga Ayinbisa, the Regional Director of Communications of the party, announced the figure in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, saying the delegates, made up of party officers and elders elected in 2022, would vote across 15 designated voting centres, with each constituency hosting one voting centre.

He said voting would begin at 0700 hours and end at 1400 hours, in line with the party’s electoral guidelines, stressing that only delegates who were in the queue before the close of polls would be allowed to vote.

“As soon as the clock hits 2:00 pm, voting stops. Anyone who comes after that time will not be allowed to vote, but those already in the queue will be permitted to cast their ballot,” he said.

Mr Ayinbisa explained that the Upper East Regional Executive and the Bolgatanga Central constituency delegates would vote at the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, while the remaining constituencies would cast their ballots at their respective centres.

He said the delegates included polling station executives, electoral area coordinators, constituency executives, members of the Council of Elders and Patrons, former District Chief Executives, former Members of Parliament and former parliamentary candidates.

“At the regional level, the Regional Executives and the Regional Council of Elders and Patrons are also part of the voting group,” he added.

Mr Ayinbisa stated that all was set for the primaries and that the party expected a peaceful and orderly exercise, noting that the Ghana Police Service would provide security at all centres.

He said no aspirant would be allowed to provide private security, adding that the police had assured the party of an election atmosphere free of disturbances.

“The process so far has been transparent and open, and the aspirants are satisfied. Each aspirant will have two agents at the voting centres,” he said.

Mr Ayinbisa said counting would begin immediately after the close of polls at 1400 hours, with results transmitted to the party’s Election Committee and subsequently to the national headquarters for official declaration.

He expressed confidence that the primaries would be conducted in a free, fair and credible manner across the region. He urged the delegates and supporters of the various candidates to abide by the election rules.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s former Vice President, is in the race with Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a former Assin Central MP, Dr Bryn Acheampong, a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, a former Minister of Education and Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a former General Secretary of the party.