Three prominent Ghanaians, including senior figures associated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have filed a constitutional action challenging the internal election processes of Ghana’s major political parties.
The plaintiffs—Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, and Dr Christine Amoako-Nuamah have sued the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), Convention People’s Party (CPP), the Electoral Commission (EC), and the Attorney-General, arguing that the parties’ delegate-based systems for selecting presidential and parliamentary candidates are unconstitutional.
In a writ filed on Monday, January 26, 2026, through lawyers led by Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the plaintiffs contend that the current systems confine voting to selected executives and delegates, thereby materially disenfranchising party members in good standing. They argue this violates Article 55(5) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that the internal organisation of political parties must conform to democratic principles.
According to the plaintiffs, democratic internal organisation requires equal participation and substantially equal voting rights for all members, rather than elections limited to electoral colleges or constituency delegates.
They further argue that the Electoral Commission, as the constitutional regulator of political parties, has a duty under Article 45 of the Constitution and the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574) to ensure compliance with Article 55(5), and to enforce reforms where parties fall short.
Key Reliefs Sought
Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs are asking the court to:
- Declare that the election of presidential and parliamentary candidates is a core element of a party’s internal organisation under Article 55(5);
- Affirm that political parties must ensure equal, direct, and meaningful participation of members in candidate selection;
- Declare the delegate-based electoral college systems of the NDC, NPP and CPP unconstitutional, null and void;
- Strike down provisions in party constitutions that restrict voting to delegates or limited bodies;
- Order the political parties to amend their constitutions and electoral arrangements to reflect democratic principles;
- Direct the Electoral Commission to enforce compliance with Article 55(5) and Section 9(a) of Act 574.
Basis of the Case
In their statement of facts, the plaintiffs argue that political parties are constitutionally significant institutions, not private associations, and are therefore bound by strict democratic standards. They maintain that the obligation to operate democratically is self-executing and continuous, and does not depend solely on EC approval or oversight.
The case, they argue, raises fundamental questions about internal party democracy, political equality, and constitutional compliance, and is expected to have far-reaching implications for how political parties in Ghana select their candidates.
The matter is yet to be assigned a hearing date.
By Mutala Inusah
