Absence of Proxy Voting a Major Setback in NPP Elections Despite Peaceful Process — Dr. Ishag

Dr. Ishag has acknowledged that while the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) recent internal elections were largely peaceful, the process was not without challenges, particularly the decision not to allow proxy voting.

Speaking on Angel FM in Kumasi, Dr. Ishag said the elections were conducted calmly, without disturbances, but stressed that the absence of proxy voting posed a significant setback that must be openly discussed going forward.

According to him, the elections committee led by Joe Wise performed creditably under difficult circumstances. He noted that the committee made several concessions in the interest of party unity and compromised on many issues to ensure a smooth process.

“The committee did well. There were lots of concessions for the sake of unity,” he said.

However, Dr. Ishag pointed out that proxy voting, although compromised on, remains a major concern. He argued that party laws permit proxy voting and that it is a practice widely used in modern electoral processes.

He alleged that resistance to proxy voting was influenced by political calculations, claiming that some individuals believed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia would have gained significantly if proxy voting had been allowed.

“They saw that Dr. Bawumia would get a lot of votes if proxy voting was allowed, so they fought against it,” he stated.

Despite these challenges, Dr. Ishag acknowledged that the elections were conducted without chaos, even though logistical and procedural issues were evident.

He further revealed that the elections committee, according to Joe Wise, has since received several proposals aimed at improving future internal elections. Among the key recommendations is the introduction of electronic or digital voting, which he believes could enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and efficiency within the party.

Dr. Ishag concluded by urging the NPP to critically assess the challenges encountered and adopt reforms that will strengthen future internal democratic processes.