Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, has expressed worries about the Supreme Court’s decision to do away with the political party delegates system, stating that it may have an impact on how minority tribes and communities are represented in Parliament.
He states that even if the ruling may be constitutionally sound, its application could lead to socioeconomic inequality by favouring larger towns in parliamentary primaries.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Ibrahim called the decision “socially discriminatory” and contended that when evaluating its effect on political representation, Ghana’s ethnic and communal structures must be taken into account.
He stated, “If the Supreme Court is bringing this kind of rule, it is constitutionally right but socially discriminatory because minority tribes will not be represented.”
He clarified that communities with bigger populations may control the selection of candidates in constituencies with a variety of ethnic groupings, giving smaller groups fewer chances to produce parliamentary representation.
Professor Alidu Mahama Seidu, the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, has voiced worries that the decision would make money more powerful in political party primaries.
Prof. Seidu contended that allowing all party members in good standing to take part in choosing presidential and parliamentary candidates may force candidates to invest more money in order to appeal to a larger number of voters.
He cautioned that certain candidates would be encouraged to rely on dubious sources of campaign funding due to the higher financial demands connected with wider party primaries.
On Wednesday, July 29, the Supreme Court ruled that the political parties’ delegate system for choosing presidential and parliamentary candidates was unconstitutional. The court ordered the parties to implement a more inclusive voting system within a year.
Source: newsthemegh.com