The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed support for the Supreme Court’s decision directing political parties to allow all members in good standing to participate in presidential and parliamentary primaries.
The Acting Director of Elections and IT for the party, Mahdi Gibril, stated that the party will study the full judgement and work within the one-year timeline given.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he stated that the party, in principle, supports the outcome of the case. He noted that the party had, from the beginning, supported the idea of expanding voting rights to every member in good standing.
The Supreme Court, by a 5–2 majority decision, ruled that all registered political party members in good standing must be permitted to vote in the election of party leaders and parliamentary candidates.
This landmark judgement effectively dismantles the long-standing delegate system utilised by Ghana’s major political parties, establishing a “one member, one vote” framework for all internal party elections.
Delivering its decision on Wednesday, July 29, the seven-member panel concluded a high-profile constitutional suit that had sparked fierce legal and political debate over the scope of democratic participation within political parties.
Mahdi Gibril, in his remarks, stated that the NDC agreed with the individuals who had prayed the court to issue such directives.
“The NDC is in full support of the outcome of the case. We had agreed with the plaintiffs and so it is not surprising that the court issued these directives. Our focus now is to prepare and implement the directives within the period granted. As a party, we would have to make changes to our party’s constitution and ensure we fully implement this,” he said.
He was, however, quick to question whether the party would have to bear the cost for the implementation or if the state would provide financial support.
He revealed that the party currently boasts a massive membership, raising concerns over logistics and funding.
“The NDC currently has nearly four million members, and so the question we would have to ask is: who will bear the cost? Will the state support us? If the government will support us, what amount of money would be involved or will the state pay?” he asked.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
