Ghana’s judiciary is set to promptly handle all election-related disputes brought before the courts during the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
This assurance was given under the guidance of the newly released fifth edition of the Manual on Election Adjudication. The manual, a vital tool in the electoral process, provides detailed guidance for resolving election disputes in a timely and lawful manner.
At a dialogue session held in Accra with a Group of Eminent Persons from the Christian Council of Ghana, the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, together with the Judiciary’s Elections Management Committee, pledged their commitment to handling all election matters transparently and efficiently.
The Committee, chaired by His Lordship Paul Baffoe Bonnie JSC, highlighted the judiciary’s preparations in ensuring all election-related cases will be adjudicated within the legal frameworks provided.
The Elections Management Committee has been instrumental in overseeing the judiciary’s readiness for the 2024 General Elections, with key activities including the production of the Manual on Election Adjudication.
According to Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie, the Committee has engaged various stakeholders, including the National Peace Council, the Electoral Commission and political parties, to enhance election adjudication and resolve disputes swiftly.
Key Preparations by the Elections Management Committee are; Production of the fifth edition of the Manual on Election Adjudication, Engaged stakeholders to ensure timely resolutions to parliamentary election disputes, Conduct nationwide training for Magistrates and High Court judges among others.
The fifth edition of the Manual on Election Adjudication has been expanded into three volumes to address the evolving nature of election laws and cater to the diverse needs of stakeholders.
Volume 1 provides general guidelines for disputing parties, Volume 2 compiles election-related laws and forms, and Volume 3 includes a digest of past cases to guide legal practitioners.
Justice Torkornoo reassured Ghanaians of the judiciary’s independence and commitment to maintaining peace during the elections, urging citizens to trust the judicial system.
