BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to implement a significant overhaul of its grassroots organizational structure by increasing the number of executive positions at the polling station level from five to seven.
The move, endorsed by the party’s National Council at a high-level meeting on Tuesday at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, forms part of broader constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening the party’s base ahead of future electoral cycles.
Background: Post-Election Introspection Spurs Structural Changes
The decision to restructure the polling station executive framework follows extensive internal review processes launched after the 2024 general elections.
A 9-member Constitutional Amendment Committee was formed to evaluate the party’s constitution, taking into consideration recommendations from both the 2024 Election Review Committee, chaired by former Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Oquaye, and the earlier 2021 Constitutional Review Committee.
Over 300 amendment proposals were submitted from across the party’s rank and file, prompting the committee to embark on a wide-ranging stakeholder engagement process.
Consultations were held with former Presidents, past and present flagbearer hopefuls, and other key party figures.
Strengthening Grassroots Governance: From Five to Seven Executives
Among the most consequential grassroots-level reforms is the expansion of the polling station executive structure.
Currently composed of five officers, the revised structure will now include two additional roles: Communications Officer and Electoral Affairs Officer.
This brings the total number of executive positions at each polling station to seven.
The inclusion of these roles is aimed at improving coordination, message dissemination, and electoral organization at the most foundational level of the party’s structure.
The addition of a Communications Officer will facilitate consistent engagement with local communities and enhance the party’s media presence at the grassroots level, while the Electoral Affairs Officer will be responsible for coordinating voter mobilization and ensuring electoral readiness.
The National Council has adopted the recommendation, though it remains subject to final ratification by the party’s National Delegates Conference.
Complementary Changes at Electoral Area Level
In tandem with the polling station reforms, the party has also approved a reorganization at the electoral area level, where the existing coordinator role will be supported by four additional members to form a five-member Electoral Area Executive Committee.
This restructuring aligns the party’s organization with the Electoral Commission’s demarcations and is expected to enhance field operations and policy execution across electoral zones.
A Broader Push for Inclusivity and Modernization
The reform is part of a wider set of changes being introduced by the party to improve internal democracy, participation, and operational efficiency.
These include:
A proposed One-Member-One-Vote (OMOV) system to be fully realized by 2028.
Expansion of the electoral college to include former MPs, MMDCEs, and other past executives.
Reforms to presidential primary structures, including the abolition of the Super Delegates Conference and a shift toward a more inclusive voting system.
Introduction of new standing committees and directorates, such as those focusing on Electoral Affairs, Communications, Security & Intelligence, and Diplomatic Engagements.
At the constituency and regional levels, further reforms include the decoupling of the Research and Elections Officer roles, and the introduction of PWD Coordinators and Regional Legal Officers to enhance representation and compliance.
Looking Forward: Approval Pending at Delegates Conference
While the National Council has given its initial endorsement to these sweeping changes, including the expansion of polling station executives, the final stamp of approval rests with the party’s National Delegates Conference.
If ratified, the changes are expected to take effect before the next internal elections cycle and will serve as the foundation for a more dynamic, inclusive, and responsive party structure at the grassroots level.
The reforms, according to party insiders, are not only intended to boost operational efficiency but also to ensure that the NPP remains electorally competitive and institutionally robust as it looks toward the 2028 general elections.
