Nomination Violence in Ghana’s Political Parties (NPP and NDC): Impact on Candidate Selection and Voter/Delegate Behaviour

Abstract

This thesis critically examines the phenomenon of Nomination Violence (NV) within Ghana’s two dominant Political Parties (PP), the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and its impact on Candidate Selection (CS) and voter behaviour between 1992 and 2022. Anchored in qualitative methodology, the study employs interviews and documentary analysis to investigate how elite consensus in candidate nominations fuels internal party conflicts, undermines democratic participation, and affects voter choices. Drawing on rich empirical data collected from the field, the findings reveal that the elite imposition of candidates frequently triggers discontent, factionalism, and, in some instances, physical violence during primaries. The research identifies several interlinked consequences of NV: erosion of grassroots trust in party processes, suppression of intra-party competition, strategic protest voting, and declining electoral participation in party strongholds. Respondents consistently highlighted how elite-dominated selection processes alienate rank-and-file members, foster long-term party disunity, and shift the political culture away from issue-based engagement to patronage and loyalty to powerful individuals. These findings are situated within broader theoretical discourses on democratic consolidation, clientelism, and intra-party democracy in sub-Saharan Africa. The study concludes by recommending institutional reforms to ensure transparent and inclusive nomination processes, the establishment of independent internal election committees, and the enforcement of rules that guarantee fair competition. By doing so, political parties can mitigate the destabilising effects of elite interference, enhance internal legitimacy, and strengthen electoral integrity.