The structure of political parties in West Africa
Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday, 23 November 2016 / No comments
National Delegate’s Conference
There is a provision for a National Delegate’s Conference.
This constitutes the highest body of the party. It is made up of the officers
from both the regional and national level, Members of Parliament on the ticket
of the party and delegates of the various constituencies. The National Delegate’s
Conference elects the leader and national officers of the party and approves
the party’s programmes and policies.
The National Executives
The structure also makes provision for a National Executive.
The members are the national officers who have been elected at the National
Delegate’s Conference and the Members in Parliament on the ticket of the party.
It is sometimes called the Central Committee. This body formulates and
discusses policies before they are put before the Delegate’s conference for
adoption. It also runs the administration of the party.
National working Committee
The structure allows for the creation of a National Working
Committee. This is a sub-committee of the National Executive. The members
include the leader of the party, its Chairman and Deputies, the
General-Secretary and other members selected from across board within the
party. It has supervisory duties over the organization of the party from the
lowest to the highest level.
National Secretariat
Provision is made for a national secretariat. This
secretariat is supervised by the leader of the party and General-Secretary. The
main functions of the Secretariat include to organize the party throughout the
nation, co-ordinate its activities and source funding.
Regional Branch
The structure allows for the creation of regional branches
with offices in all the regions. Their main duty is to supervise the work of
the various constituencies that fall within their administrative demarcation.
Constituency Branches
The regions are further divided into constituencies and the
structure allows for the creation of constituency branches. The constituencies are
creations of the Electoral Commission and the party creates branches in all
these constituencies. Subject to the approval of the regional and national
executives, the constituencies elect candidates to contest a general election.
Ward Branches
The constituencies are further divided into wards and each
ward has a branch of the party. The ward represents the lowest level of the
hierarchy of the party. The membership of the ward Branch includes, but is not
limited to, a Chairman, Secretary and a Treasurer. They are involved in the
decision making of the party.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Describe the structure of a political party in your
country. [12 marks]
2. a. What is a political party? [2 marks]
b. Highlight five
pillars of the structure of a political party in your country. [10 marks]
