Accra: Professor Alidu Mahama Seidu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, has issued a caution regarding the potential financial implications of the Supreme Court's ruling to abolish the delegate voting system within political parties. He highlighted concerns that this decision could considerably escalate the costs associated with political campaigns.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Seidu emphasized that the enforcement of the ruling might lead to a significant increase in expenses for those campaigning for internal party positions, as well as for candidates facing opponents from other political parties. He suggested that the financial demands of campaigning could "double, triple and quadruple," making political campaigns more exhaustive and potentially leading politicians to seek alternative funding sources, raising the risk of corrupt practices.
Prof. Seidu acknowledged that while the ruling fosters greater participation and upholds constitutional principles, it might also challenge inclusivity by imposing significant financial pressures on aspirants. The Supreme Court's decision, reached by a 5-2 majority, mandates that all party members in good standing should have the right to vote in leader and parliamentary candidate elections, thereby replacing the delegate system with a "one member, one vote" approach.
The constitutional challenge was initiated by Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, and Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah, representing different political parties in Ghana. They contended that limiting voting rights to a select few contradicted the democratic principles outlined in the 1992 Constitution. The Attorney-General's Department backed the challenge, underscoring the necessity for political parties to embody constitutional values of equality, participation, and universal suffrage.
This landmark ruling is anticipated to transform the structure of political parties and influence the conduct of future presidential, parliamentary, and executive primaries.