By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared Ghana’s delegate-based system for political party primaries as unconstitutional, ruling that restricting voting in internal party elections to selected delegates violates the democratic principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
The landmark decision requires political parties to allow all members in good standing to vote directly in the selection of their presidential, parliamentary and party executive candidates.
The case was brought by former Minister Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe and former Lands and Forestry Minister Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah. They argued that the delegate system disenfranchised the majority of party members by limiting voting rights to a small group of delegates and office holders.
According to the Supreme Court, “All political political parties are restrained from electing parliamentary candidates and presidential candidates by electoral college systems. Arrangements should be made not later than a year from today to accommodate the decision. This decision notwithstanding, all decisions, appointments and elections lawfully undertaken pursuant to the internal impugned arrangements before the judgement shall remain valid and shall not be invalidated by the judgement. Full reasons to be filed by 5th of August at the court registry.”
The ruling is expected to significantly reshape internal party democracy in Ghana, compelling political parties to amend their constitutions and adopt universal suffrage for internal elections. It is also likely to influence how presidential and parliamentary candidates are selected ahead of future elections. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
