The Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Evans Nimako, stated that abolishing the delegate system for parliamentary primaries will not necessarily solve the problem of monetisation in Ghanaian politics. He believes the Supreme Court's recent decision against the delegate system, while intended to reduce the influence of money, could instead shift significant financial burdens onto political parties. This ruling mandates that all eligible party members participate directly in parliamentary and presidential primaries within one year.
Nimako explained that opening party primaries to all card-bearing members would require parties to organize large-scale elections involving thousands or even millions of members. He questioned the cost implications of such an undertaking, comparing it to the substantial expenses incurred by the Electoral Commission (EC) for national elections. This shift would force parties to find money to conduct their internal elections, potentially increasing overall political spending.
This development comes as Ghana grapples with persistent concerns about the role of money in its political landscape, particularly during internal party elections. The Supreme Court's intervention reflects a broader effort to enhance transparency and fairness in the selection of political candidates. Previous reports and public discourse have frequently highlighted instances of vote buying and inducement, which undermine democratic principles and public trust.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Nimako argued that candidates would still incur expenses while campaigning among a broader membership base. He stressed that he does not support vote buying, noting that existing legislation, specifically the Political Parties Act, Act 574, already prohibits voter inducement. He believes the focus should be on enforcing these laws and improving political party financing systems.
The implications of this ruling are significant for Ghana’s political parties, which must now adapt their internal structures and financial planning. Parties will need to develop robust membership registers and secure funding for these expanded primaries. Observers will be watching to see if this change genuinely reduces monetisation or merely alters its form, potentially leading to new financial challenges for political organizations.
Nimako also raised practical concerns about managing membership registers under a system where all eligible members participate in primaries. Unlike national elections, where the EC maintains the official voters’ register, political parties would have to create and manage their own extensive databases. He further argued that delegate systems are not inherently undemocratic, pointing out that many political systems globally use similar methods for candidate selection.
The Supreme Court's directive marks a pivotal moment for Ghana's political parties, compelling them to re-evaluate their internal democratic processes. The transition period of one year will be crucial for parties to implement the necessary changes and address the financial and logistical challenges posed by this new electoral framework. The effectiveness of this ruling in curbing monetisation will depend heavily on its implementation and the enforcement of existing anti-corruption laws.