Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Constitutional Rights and Policy Strategy Advisor at Democracy Hub, has expressed strong support for a fundamental shift in Ghana’s political landscape, emphasizing the need for broader state support for party primaries. The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling, mandating that all registered members of political parties have the right to vote in their leader’s selection, represents a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and democratic political process, according to Mr. Barker-Vormawor. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, August 1, Mr. Barker-Vormawor highlighted that while the new electoral system may not completely eradicate the influence of money in politics, it signifies a crucial advancement toward greater democratic participation. ‘The mere fact that this may not entirely eliminate money in our politics doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try,’ he asserted, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a vibrant and engaged political sphere. Following the ruling, Ghana’s delegate system, which traditionally involved a tiered system of delegates, is being dismantled, replaced by a ‘one member, one vote’ framework envisioned to transform internal party elections across the country. Since the ruling, questions have emerged regarding the financial implications of expanding internal party elections from a relatively small pool of delegates to the entire membership of political parties. Addressing these concerns, Mr. Barker-Vormawor argued that while organizing nationwide primaries under the new system would undoubtedly require greater resources, the issue should be viewed within the broader context of public investment already made in Ghana’s democratic institutions. The Electoral Commission’s involvement in supervising internal elections, particularly through its supervisory role, has been a key point of contention. He noted that the state already shoulders significant responsibilities during political party primaries, particularly through the Electoral Commission’s supervisory role. ‘We have to admit to ourselves that there is already enough state funding that goes into our political parties’ primaries,’ he said. According to Mr. Barker-Vormawor, policymakers should carefully consider the extent to which the state should continue to support political parties in conducting internal elections as the new system takes effect. ‘We have to have a holistic conversation about what is the extent of how the state picks up some of the bill as this goes forward,’ he stated. He indicated that such discussions should balance the need for broader democratic participation with the practical realities of organizing large-scale internal elections. Furthermore, Mr. Barker-Vormawor challenged suggestions that the Supreme Court’s ruling would impose an entirely new financial obligation on political parties. ‘But also importantly, it is not true that our democracy imposes any cost on our political parties at all,’ he said. The ruling represents a pivotal moment, potentially reshaping Ghana’s political landscape and necessitating a comprehensive evaluation of the state’s continued financial support for internal party elections.
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Source: MyJoyOnline
