Mr Ishaq Ibrahim, a member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Legal Directorate, has questioned the legal foundation of a lawsuit challenging internal voting arrangements of political parties, arguing that democratic ideals should not be confused with constitutional requirements.
The suit, filed by some prominent Ghanaians including Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, and Dr Christine Amoako-Nuamah, targets the NPP, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the Electoral Commission (EC), and the Attorney General.
It challenges the constitutionality of delegate-based electoral college systems and constituency conference mechanisms used by political parties to select presidential and parliamentary candidates, alleging violations of Article 55(5) of the 1992 Constitution.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Mr Ibrahim questioned whether the matter was one that should be determined by the courts.
“I asked myself whether this is really something to be addressed by a court,” he said, noting that while democratic principles promote wider participation, the Constitution does not expressly require that all party members must vote in internal party elections.
He argued that the suit appears to suggest that several political parties are operating outside democratic norms, yet does not clearly identify a specific constitutional provision that has been breached.
“Principles are not mandatory. They are goals societies work toward progressively,” Mr Ibrahim said, describing democracy as aspirational in nature.
Drawing on his long involvement in the NPP since 1988, including his experience as a former parliamentary aspirant, he disclosed that he does not personally participate in certain internal party voting processes.
Mr Ibrahim also questioned the timing and possible motives behind the lawsuit, particularly given the stature and political backgrounds of some of the individuals involved.
