The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is currently holding its presidential primaries today, Saturday, January 31, to elect a flagbearer ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Voting is ongoing nationwide, with more than 211,000 accredited delegates expected to cast their ballots in what party officials describe as one of the largest and most consequential internal elections in the party’s history.

Polling is taking place across all 16 regions, as well as at the party’s national headquarters and selected diaspora voting centres, under tight security and strict electoral guidelines.

The exercise follows months of intense campaigning, policy debates and regional tours by the aspirants, and is widely viewed as a critical test of the party’s internal unity.

Five aspirants are contesting the race to lead the NPP into the next general election. They are Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum and former General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong.

Party leaders have consistently urged delegates and supporters to uphold the NPP’s core values of discipline, unity and peaceful competition, warning against the use of private security personnel, vigilantes or any conduct that could undermine the credibility of the process.

The electorate comprises 211,849 delegates drawn from constituency, regional and national party structures, party elders and recognised external branches.

This figure reflects adjustments made to the register for deceased members and forfeitures. Greater Accra and Ashanti constitute the largest voting blocs, followed by Eastern, Central and Western regions, with observers noting that voting patterns in these areas could prove decisive.

Voting is expected to close later this afternoon, after which counting will be conducted at the various centres before results are transmitted to the party’s national collation centre.

The candidate who emerges victorious will immediately face the task of unifying the party, healing internal divisions and crafting a compelling national message ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Personnel from the Ghana Police Service have been deployed to all polling centres to maintain order, while the Electoral Commission is overseeing the process.

The party has reiterated its ban on vigilantes, cautioning that any breaches will attract sanctions, as party observers and selected civil society groups monitor proceedings to ensure transparency and credibility.