The Electoral Commission (EC) has declared the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primary for the Walewale Constituency, held on Monday, as null and void due to disruptions during the ballot sorting process that led to the destruction of some ballot papers.

As the primary was an internal party event to select a nominee for the December parliamentary elections, the EC has referred the matter back to the NPP for further action.

The party now needs to decide on a new election date before the nomination deadline for the December 2024 parliamentary elections at the end of this week.

Although the voting procedure itself went smoothly after an earlier rescheduling of the primary site, an individual attempted to flee with stolen ballot papers following the vote, which ended around 4 p.m.

Reports indicate that the suspect also tore up some of the voting papers.

Police intervened promptly, recovered the documents, and apprehended the suspect, who is currently in custody.