NPP criticizes Supreme Court’s Decision on Delegate System, Warns of Rising Costs
Party leaders call for legal safeguards and highlight financial implications of changing internal election processes
- NPP opposes the court’s decision, citing its importance for democracy.
- Replacing delegates could significantly raise election costs.
- Legal safeguards are necessary before introducing public funding.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has voiced strong opposition to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to invalidate the party’s delegate system for internal elections.
Evans Nimako, the NPP’s Director of Elections, expressed concern that the ruling could impose substantial financial burdens on political parties and has reignited calls for state funding of political activities.
During an interview, Mr. Nimako emphasized that the delegate system is a vital aspect of Ghana’s democratic process and plays a key role in fostering strong political parties.
“The Supreme Court judgment is not something the NPP supported because, to ensure the growth of democracy, viable political parties are essential. The delegate system is an integral part of our democracy,” he stated.
He also noted that the ongoing debate about public financing for political parties has gained urgency following the court’s decision.
Mr. Nimako recalled that several political parties, including those in Parliament, had previously engaged the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on proposals for state funding. However, he stressed that any such arrangement must be backed by a solid legal framework.
“The danger is that without proper legal safeguards, we risk opening the floodgates for the proliferation of political parties,” he warned.
He urged stakeholders to carefully analyze the reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s ruling to understand what it aims to address or potentially undermine.
“The key question is: what does the judgment seek to eliminate? It’s important to scrutinize the Court’s reasoning,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, Mr. Nimako warned that replacing the delegate system with wider participation in internal elections could significantly increase the costs for parties nationwide.
“This change would be a huge financial burden on political parties,” he highlighted.
His comments follow statements from NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, who disclosed that the NDC spent approximately GH¢40 million on its 2014 internal elections and suggested that the state should fund such processes.
Responding to this proposal, the NPP official stated that while public funding might be necessary for nationwide internal elections, appropriate safeguards must be established before implementing any public financing system.
