Veteran politician Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, and former Education Minister Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah have taken legal action against Ghana’s major political parties, challenging the constitutionality of their delegate-based systems for electing presidential and parliamentary candidates.
The trio has filed a suit at the Supreme Court, seeking declarations against the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Convention People’s Party (CPP). They argue that these internal electoral processes disenfranchise ordinary party members and violate democratic principles outlined in the 1992 Constitution.
The Attorney-General and the Electoral Commission (EC) have also been named as defendants. The plaintiffs contend that the EC has neglected its duty under Article 55(5) of the Constitution and section 9(a) of the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574), to ensure political parties’ internal organizations adhere to democratic standards.
In their statement, the plaintiffs emphasize that political parties are not private entities but key institutions for citizens to exercise political power and access public office. They assert that candidate selection processes must allow equal, direct, and meaningful participation by all members in good standing.
The suit highlights how the delegate systems limit voting to a select group of executives, office holders, and delegates, excluding the majority of members from critical decisions. This, they claim, contravenes Articles 1, 17, 35(6)(d), 42, and 55(5) of the Constitution, which guarantee political equality, participation, and voting rights.
The plaintiffs note the NDC’s brief adoption of universal suffrage for its 2015 presidential candidate election before reverting to the delegate model, calling for judicial intervention to clarify “democratic principles” in party elections.
They are urging the Supreme Court to declare the delegate systems unconstitutional, nullify relevant provisions in the parties’ constitutions and rules, and order amendments to ensure inclusive participation. Additionally, they seek directives for the EC to enforce compliance in regulating internal party elections.