By Daniel Bampoe
Tensions have emerged in Suhum Constituency in the Eastern Region following conflicting claims over the presence of an Electoral Commission (EC) official at a New Patriotic Party (NPP) internal vetting exercise, with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) raising concerns over alleged misconduct and the NPP firmly rejecting the accusations.
In a press release dated April 28, 2026, the Suhum NDC Communication Bureau accused the EC Returning Officer for the constituency, identified as Godwin Amankwah, of compromising his neutrality by allegedly participating in the NPP’s vetting process for polling station executive aspirants in the Newtown North Ward.
According to the NDC, the official was seen on an NPP election panel and was purported to have represented the Member of Parliament, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, popularly known as Protozoa.
The party described the development as “dangerous” and warned that it could undermine peace and public confidence, particularly against the backdrop of previous electoral disputes in the constituency following the 2024 parliamentary elections, which required recollation in Accra and were later challenged in court.
The NDC further alleged that the incident reinforces longstanding suspicions of bias, claiming the official had a history of alignment with the NPP.
The statement warned that party youth and supporters were aggrieved by the development and cautioned that such actions could heighten political tensions if not addressed. It called on the media, traditional leaders, and stakeholders to intervene and independently verify the claims.
However, in a swift response, the NPP issued an official statement rejecting the allegations and providing clarification on the role of the EC official.
The party explained that under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, particularly Articles 45 and 55, the Electoral Commission is mandated to conduct public elections, while political parties are permitted to organise their internal processes, including elections, in line with the law.
The NPP noted that it is a long-standing and accepted practice for political parties to engage EC officials in a technical capacity during internal elections to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility.
According to the NPP, the EC official in question did not act as a representative of the MP or any political figure but rather served strictly as a neutral technocrat selected at the regional level to support the internal electoral process.
The party stressed that there is a clear distinction between a professional role carried out to uphold electoral standards and a partisan role tied to political representation, insisting that the two should not be conflated.
The NPP also challenged those making the allegations to provide verifiable evidence, warning that unsubstantiated claims risk undermining public trust in the Electoral Commission and Ghana’s democratic institutions.
The party urged the public to remain guided by facts and due process while respecting institutional integrity.
