The ongoing polling station registration exercise of the New Patriotic Party in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency has been overshadowed by confusion, tension and near-violent confrontations across several electoral areas.

The exercise, aimed at updating the party’s polling station album and strengthening its grassroots structures ahead of future internal activities, has reportedly been affected by allegations of non-compliance with directives issued by the party’s national leadership.

Several party members and local coordinators have expressed concern over what they describe as deviations from the official guidelines governing the registration process.

At the centre of the controversy are claims that some Electoral Area Coordinators have refused to release the official polling station albums meant to be used for registering members.

Instead, they are reportedly using ordinary exercise books to record names, a move many party members argue undermines transparency and the credibility of the exercise.

There are also allegations that the Constituency Secretary released registration booklets to selected individuals believed to be his preferred persons, rather than to officially recognised Electoral Area Coordinators and polling Station Chairmen as stipulated by party guidelines.

According to party members, the situation has created suspicion and heightened tensions among grassroots supporters who fear the process could be manipulated.

In several polling stations, members have resisted attempts to have their names recorded in exercise books instead of the official party register, leading to heated exchanges.

At Nkanponasi, the disagreement reportedly escalated into a physical altercation as party members clashed over who had the authority to take custody of the register.

Similar tensions were reported in Nsuaem, Tarkwa Banso, Layout and Lowcost, where disagreements over the use of unofficial recording materials nearly resulted in physical confrontations.

Party members have also raised concerns about the absence of a comprehensive schedule for the exercise, despite the registration process having commenced more than a week ago.

Observers within the Constituency warn that growing frustration among grassroots members could escalate into more serious disturbances if urgent steps are not taken to restore order and ensure strict adherence to the party’s guidelines.

They have therefore called on the national leadership of the NPP to intervene promptly to address the irregularities and restore confidence in the process among party members.