Supreme Court's 'one member, one vote' ruling reflects vote-buying concerns - Mary Addah

Mary Awelana Addah, Executive Director of Transparency International Ghana, stated on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, August 1, that the Supreme Court's landmark decision mandating a "one member, one vote" system for political party elections reflects the realities of vote-buying that have long characterised Ghana's internal party politics. She argued that the apex court's 5-2 majority decision was a carefully considered judgment informed by the political realities facing the country. Ms Addah said, "As for the promises, they are many and so I believe that is why this is very instructive, and I am sure that the justices didn't come to this conclusion easily."

Her remarks followed Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling that all registered members in good standing of political parties must be allowed to vote in the election of party leaders and parliamentary and presidential candidates. This judgment effectively ends the long-standing delegate system employed by Ghana's major political parties. The constitutional challenge was determined by a seven-member panel. The ruling is expected to have significant implications for the conduct of future presidential, parliamentary, and executive primaries, as political parties review their constitutions and electoral processes to comply with the court's decision.