Internal Tensions Rise in NPP and NDC Over Election Guidelines and Premature Campaigning

As Ghana’s major political parties prepare for future electoral cycles, both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are grappling with internal friction regarding election protocols and candidate discipline. In late May 2026, the NPP faced simultaneous challenges from its Asante Mampong constituency and its USA branch over electoral guidelines, while the NDC Council of Elders issued a stern cease-and-desist order to members engaging in premature presidential campaigning. These developments highlight a growing emphasis on party discipline and the integrity of internal democratic processes as leadership seeks to maintain cohesion ahead of upcoming national transitions.

In the Asante Mampong constituency, a faction led by spokesperson Isaac Owusu Acheampong has voiced strong opposition to the resumption of polling station executive elections scheduled for May 31, 2026. The group cites unresolved issues from a previous suspension on May 14, including the use of unapproved voter registers and a perceived lack of transparency. According to the faction, only two out of 145 polling stations had completed their processes before the initial halt, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the upcoming vote. Parallel to these local concerns, the NPP-USA branch held an emergency virtual meeting where members voted 20 to 9 to retain their existing 2021 bylaws for the 2026 internal elections. This decision defers new national guidelines proposed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, citing conflicts regarding candidate eligibility and voting methods that the branch intends to address at its July conference in Massachusetts.

Simultaneously, the NDC is focused on curbing internal factionalism and "jostling" for the 2028 presidential ticket. Following an emergency meeting with President John Dramani Mahama on May 29, 2026, the party’s Council of Elders warned aspirants to halt all unauthorized campaign activities immediately. The Council expressed concern that early campaigning undermines the government's "Resetting Agenda" and distracts from national governance priorities. Referencing Article 42 of the NDC Constitution, the elders reminded members that the National Executive Committee (NEC) has not yet set a formal timeline for presidential primaries, making any current campaigning a breach of party discipline.

These internal disputes across both ends of the political spectrum underscore the delicate balance between local or branch autonomy and national party authority. Whether it is the demand for verified voter registers in Asante Mampong or the NDC's call for unity behind the current administration's developmental goals, the actions taken by party leadership in the coming months will be critical. As both the NPP and NDC move toward their respective national conferences and primary seasons, the resolution of these procedural and disciplinary conflicts will likely determine the stability of their platforms heading into the next general election cycle.