The National Youth Wing of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has officially lifted the suspension on elections within its student wing, TESCON, following the release of a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at ensuring free, fair, and credible polls in the 2025/2026 electoral cycle.
This development marks a significant turning point in the party’s efforts to restore discipline and transparency within the ranks of its vibrant student base, especially after the disturbances that marred TESCON’s participation in the 2022 National Delegates Conference.
In a press release signed by the National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha, the Youth Wing announced that the new electoral framework has been carefully crafted to avoid a repeat of the chaotic scenes that plagued TESCON elections in the recent past.
“This action is to avoid the repetition of the unfortunate incidents of 2022 which disrupted TESCON’s participation in the National Delegates Conference. The new guidelines aim to prevent any recurrence of such incidents and to restore integrity and order to TESCON elections”.
NPP’s National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha
According to the Youth Wing, the cornerstone of the new guidelines is the establishment of a TESCON Elections Supervisory Team in each region, a mechanism designed to oversee and validate every stage of the electoral process.
Each regional team will be composed of three members from the National Youth Wing, the Regional Youth Organiser, and the Regional TESCON Coordinator.
Importantly, the directive makes it clear that no TESCON election will be recognised unless it is supervised by this officially sanctioned team, with the release adding that any election conducted outside of this structure will be deemed null and void, a strong signal of the party’s intent to enforce internal discipline.
The newly released guidelines also introduce standardised procedures for nominations, verification, voting, and the declaration of results.
This, according to the statement, will help ensure uniformity and transparency in the electoral processes across all institutional TESCON chapters nationwide.
To complement this, the NPP National Youth Wing has provided standardised forms, election notices, and reporting templates, which all chapters are required to use.
A structured dispute resolution framework, according to the statement, has also been put in place to handle petitions and electoral grievances efficiently and fairly.
Manual over Electronic Voting
One of the notable changes in the electoral procedure is the stipulation that all TESCON elections will be conducted manually, with electronic voting systems being employed only in exceptional circumstances and with prior approval from the National Youth Wing.
This move is aimed at reducing the risk of system manipulation and promoting a more transparent process that builds trust among aspirants and delegates alike.
The release further outlined a strict timeline for the conduct of elections across the country, which has been agreed upon with the National Youth Wing.
This is intended to prevent delays and ensure that all chapters are in good standing ahead of key national party events.
By instituting a strict calendar and uniform process, the Youth Wing hopes to avoid the administrative confusion that contributed to TESCON’s sidelining during the 2022 National Delegates Conference.
Mr. Mustapha called on all stakeholders—including Regional Youth Officers, TESCON Coordinators, aspirants, and institutional chapters—to adhere strictly to the new guidelines.
“Our collective goal is to rebuild a disciplined, united, and credible TESCON that will continue to contribute meaningfully to the fortunes of the NPP.”.
NPP’s National Youth Organiser, Salam Mustapha
The full set of guidelines is being circulated to all Regional Youth Organisers and TESCON Coordinators and will also be made available at the National Youth Wing Secretariat upon request.
TESCON, the Tertiary Students Confederacy of the New Patriotic Party, has long served as a crucial feeder institution for the party’s future leaders and has played an instrumental role in campus politics across Ghana.
However, internal wrangling, weak oversight, and disjointed election protocols in recent years have undermined its efficacy and public perception.
With these new guidelines, the NPP leadership hopes to rejuvenate the base of TESCON, restore faith among student members, and provide a more orderly and reliable framework through which young members can participate in internal democracy.
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