NPP October 3 national officers’ election: Party sets Sept. 9 for balloting

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has moved another step closer to its October 3 national officers’ election, with all 47 cleared aspirants set to ballot for their positions on the ballot paper this Wednesday.

The party’s National Officers Elections Committee (NOEC) has scheduled Wednesday, September 9, 2026, for the crucial balloting exercise at the NPP headquarters at Asylum Down, Accra.

The exercise follows the completion of the vetting process, which cleared all 47 aspirants who appeared before the vetting committee to contest nine categories of national officer positions.

47 aspirants cleared — the race is officially on

The cleared aspirants are competing for some of the most influential positions in the NPP as the party seeks to reorganise its structures ahead of the 2028 general election.

The breakdown is:

• National Chairman: 4
• National Vice-Chairperson: 13
• General Secretary: 4
• National Treasurer: 4
• National Organiser: 8
• National Youth Organiser: 6
• National Women’s Organiser: 2
• National Nasara Organiser: 5
• National Communications Director: 1

That makes the Vice-Chairperson race the most crowded contest, with 13 aspirants seeking the position.

Balloting will determine who appears where

Wednesday’s exercise will not be the election itself.

Rather, the aspirants will draw lots to determine the order in which their names will appear on the ballot paper during the October 3 election.

The NOEC says the specific times for the various positions will be communicated directly to the aspirants. Candidates may participate personally or through duly authorised representatives.

Big names in the chairmanship battle

The National Chairman position has already emerged as one of the headline contests.

Four aspirants have been cleared: Paul Afoko, John Boadu, Boakye Agyarko and Sammy Crabbe. Their contest follows the withdrawal of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

The General Secretary race is also attracting attention, with incumbent Justin Kodua Frimpong seeking another term against Eugene Boakye Antwi, Sylvester Tetteh and Charles Dwamena.

October 3 is the big day

The actual national officers’ election is scheduled for October 3, 2026, in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, under the supervision of the Electoral Commission.

The electoral college includes members of the NPP National Council, National Executive Committee, Regional Executive Committees, Constituency Executive Committees and External Branch Executive Committees.

For a party still rebuilding after its 2024 electoral defeat, the stakes could hardly be higher.

NOEC demands unity and discipline

The Elections Committee has appealed to all aspirants, their supporters and party members to cooperate throughout the remaining stages of the process.

It has also reiterated its commitment to a “fair, transparent, orderly and credible” election while urging participants to protect the unity and integrity of the NPP.

With the vetting hurdle cleared and ballot positions now up for grabs, September 9 will mark the next major flashpoint in the NPP’s race to reshape its national leadership. The real battle, however, will come on October 3.