Supreme Court Mandates "One Member, One Vote" in Landmark Ruling Abolishing Party Delegate System

In a landmark decision that fundamentally alters Ghana's political landscape, the Supreme Court has declared the delegate-based electoral college system used by political parties unconstitutional. By a 5-2 majority, the court ruled that every registered party member in good standing must be allowed to vote in presidential and parliamentary primaries, citing Article 55(5) of the 1992 Constitution. This directive effectively ends the long-standing practice where a small pool of delegates selected national candidates, and the court has given political parties a one-year deadline to amend their constitutions and implement a direct mass electoral system.

The government of President John Mahama has formally endorsed the ruling. Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine announced that the decision aligns with recommendations from the Constitutional Review Committee to ensure equal voting rights within parties. To facilitate these reforms, the government plans to establish an independent Political Parties Regulatory Commission. This new body is expected to take over the registration and regulatory functions currently held by the Electoral Commission, while also introducing legislation to manage campaign financing and transparency through a proposed Democracy Fund.

Reaction from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been mixed. While Rashid Tanko Computer, the NDC’s Deputy Director of IT and Elections, expressed confidence that the party's robust membership database makes the transition feasible within the one-year timeframe, other officials were more cautious. Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande and Nii Lantey Vanderpuye warned of the immense financial and logistical burdens associated with nationwide primaries. Gbande noted that while the move promotes democracy, the costs of mobilizing millions of voters could be prohibitive, potentially leading to "excess democracy" that strains party resources.

Governance experts and academics have also weighed in on the ruling's potential impact. Dr. Kojo Asante of CDD-Ghana praised the decision as a victory for internal party democracy that could reduce the corruption inherent in influencing small delegate pools. However, Professor Alidu Mahama Seidu and Professor Isaac Owusu-Mensah cautioned that the new system could triple campaign costs, as candidates must now reach a significantly larger voter base. Additionally, Local Government Minister Ahmed Ibrahim raised concerns that a purely population-based voting system might marginalize minority ethnic groups in Parliament by favoring candidates from larger communities.

As political parties begin the complex task of restructuring their internal processes, the ruling sets the stage for a significant shift in how power is exercised within Ghana’s democratic framework. While the decision aims to empower the grassroots, the debate over financing remains contentious. The NDC has already rejected the idea of state funding for political parties, arguing that public resources should remain focused on healthcare and education. With the one-year implementation clock ticking, the Electoral Commission is now mandated to ensure that all future internal elections comply with this new standard of universal suffrage.