Supreme Court Rules All Registered Party Members Must Vote in Parliamentary and Presidential Primaries

The Supreme Court has ruled that all registered members of a political party must be allowed to vote in the election of the party’s parliamentary and presidential candidates, declaring that political parties can no longer rely on electoral college systems to choose their flagbearers and parliamentary aspirants.

The decision was delivered in a 5–2 majority ruling, with Justices Asiedu and Gaewu dissenting.

In its orders, the apex court stated that all political parties are restrained from electing parliamentary and presidential candidates through electoral college systems. The Court directed political parties to make the necessary constitutional and administrative arrangements within one year from the date of the judgment to comply with the new legal requirement.

The Court, however, clarified that the ruling will not have retrospective effect. It held that all decisions, appointments and elections lawfully undertaken under the existing internal party arrangements before the judgment shall remain valid and will not be invalidated by the decision.

“All political parties are restrained from electing parliamentary candidates and presidential candidates by electoral college systems. Arrangements should be made not later than a year from today to accommodate the decision. This decision notwithstanding, all decisions, appointments and elections lawfully undertaken pursuant to the internal impugned arrangements before the judgment shall remain valid and shall not be invalidated by the judgment.”

The Supreme Court further indicated that its full reasons for the judgment will be filed at the Court Registry on August 5.

The landmark ruling was delivered in the case of Frimpong-Boateng and 2 Others v. New Patriotic Party and 4 Others, a decision expected to significantly reshape internal party democracy in Ghana by broadening participation in the selection of parliamentary and presidential candidates.