<h1><br></h1><p> Accra, Ghana – August 3, 2026</p><p> In a 5–2 majority decision, the apex court ruled that restricting the selection of candidates to a limited body of delegates violates constitutional principles. Consequently, the Court directed that all registered members of political parties in good standing must be given the opportunity to vote in the election of parliamentary and presidential candidates. </p><p> The judgment effectively abolishes the long-standing delegate system that has been used by Ghana's major political parties for decades. Instead, the Court's decision introduces what many observers have described as a "One Member, One Vote" approach to internal party elections. </p><p> The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for political parties, particularly the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), both of which have traditionally relied on delegates to elect flagbearers and parliamentary candidates.</p><p> Legal and political analysts say the decision strengthens democratic participation by expanding voting rights to the broader party membership. However, others have cautioned that the judgment could present logistical, financial, and administrative challenges for political parties tasked with organizing nationwide internal elections involving significantly larger electorates. </p><p> The judgment has already sparked intense debate across the political landscape. Some politicians have welcomed it as a victory for grassroots democracy, while others argue that the delegate system has historically served as a practical mechanism for managing internal party contests.</p><p> Political parties are expected to study the full written judgment before outlining how they intend to comply with the Court's directive. The decision may also necessitate amendments to party constitutions and internal electoral regulations ahead of future primaries. </p><p> The Supreme Court's ruling marks one of the most significant judicial interventions in Ghana's political party governance since the advent of the Fourth Republic and is likely to influence the conduct of internal party elections for years to come.</p>