By Godwill Arthur-Mensah, GNA
Accra, July 30, GNA – Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister Ahmed Ibrahim has described the Supreme Court’s ruling abolishing the delegate system of voting within political parties as “constitutionally right but socially discriminatory.”
He explained that while the decision promotes equality by allowing all registered members in good standing to vote in internal party elections, it risks creating fertile ground for minority ethnic groups within constituencies to lose representation in Parliament.
“Democracy in Ghana is such that delegates often vote for their tribesmen and women. If a politician from a minority tribe competes with another from a majority ethnic group, there is a high tendency that the majority candidate will win,” Mr Ibrahim told the media at Parliament House on Wednesday.
The Minister, who is also the ruling and the majority National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the Banda Constituency cautioned that the ruling could have both positive and negative implications for Ghana’s democracy.
He noted that while it expands participation and strengthens constitutional principles, it may also undermine inclusivity and representation for minority groups.
The Supreme Court, in a 5–2 majority decision, directed that all party members in good standing must be allowed to vote in electing leaders and parliamentary candidates, effectively replacing the long-standing delegate system with a “one member, one vote” approach.
The constitutional challenge was filed by Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, and Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah, who argued that restricting voting rights to a privileged few was inconsistent with democratic principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
The Attorney-General’s Department supported the challenge, stressing that political parties must reflect constitutional values of equality, participation and universal suffrage.
The ruling is expected to reshape the organisation of political parties and the conduct of future presidential, parliamentary and executive primaries.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Reporter’s email address: [email protected]