The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has urged the Supreme Court to declare that every registered member in good standing of a political party is constitutionally entitled to vote in the party’s internal elections — a move that could fundamentally reshape internal democratic processes within Ghana’s political parties.
The Attorney-General made the argument during proceedings before the Supreme Court in a case seeking constitutional interpretation on whether the delegate voting systems used by political parties comply with the democratic principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
According to the Attorney-General, denying ordinary registered members the opportunity to participate directly in the election of party executives and candidates undermines democratic governance and contradicts constitutional principles of inclusiveness, political participation, and accountability.
He argued that political parties, although private organisations, occupy a central role in Ghana’s constitutional democracy because they serve as the primary vehicles through which political leadership and public office holders emerge.
For that reason, he maintained, political parties must themselves operate according to democratic standards.
The Attorney-General further contended that once an individual is officially registered and recognised as a member in good standing of a political party, that person should not be arbitrarily denied the right to vote in internal elections unless there are lawful and clearly established disciplinary reasons.
According to him, strengthening internal party democracy is critical to improving Ghana’s broader democratic system.
He also warned that limiting voting rights to selected delegates or restricted electoral colleges risks disenfranchising ordinary party members, encouraging vote-buying, and weakening confidence in political party structures.
Background to the Case
The legal action was initiated by renowned heart surgeon and former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, together with founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, and former minister, Christine Amoako-Nuamah.
The three plaintiffs have invoked the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to challenge the legality of the delegate systems used by Ghana’s major political parties in electing parliamentary and presidential candidates.
Their suit specifically targets the delegate voting structures of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress(NDC), and the Convention People’s Party(CPP).
According to the plaintiffs, the delegate system disenfranchises ordinary party members by concentrating voting power in the hands of a small group of delegates, many of whom are allegedly susceptible to inducement and vote-buying during internal contests.
They argue that the system violates constitutional provisions requiring political parties to conform to democratic principles and are therefore advocating a direct “one member, one vote” system for all party members in good standing.
The lawsuit also names the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Attorney-General as defendants.
The EC is being accused of failing to enforce constitutional provisions that require political parties to organise themselves along democratic lines.
Potential Political Impact
The Attorney-General’s decision to support the plaintiffs’ position is expected to generate intense debate within the country’s political landscape, especially among the major political parties that currently rely heavily on delegate systems to elect constituency, regional, and national executives, as well as parliamentary and presidential candidates.
Political observers believe that a Supreme Court ruling in favour of the plaintiffs could compel political parties to amend their constitutions and restructure their internal electoral systems to allow broader participation of grassroots members.
Legal analysts also say the case could become a landmark constitutional decision on internal party governance, democratic accountability, and political inclusion in the country.
The Supreme Court is expected to determine whether restricting voting rights in internal political party elections to delegates or selected representatives violates constitutional guarantees on freedom of association and political participation.
The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for political party administration, leadership contests, campaign financing, and grassroots political engagement ahead of future national elections in Ghana.
By 1960news.com
