Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, the former Chairman of the Electoral Commission, has proposed imposing punitive sanctions on individuals whose election petitions are unsuccessful in order to discourage frivolous petitions and streamline the electoral dispute resolution process.
During his address at the Constitutional Day Public Lecture, Dr. Afari-Gyan argued that imposing punitive sanctions on unsuccessful petitioners would serve as a deterrent and prevent individuals from rushing to court with election-related disputes without substantial grounds. The proposal, discussed at an event organized by UPSA Law School and the One Ghana Movement, aims to promote a more efficient and effective electoral dispute resolution system.
Dr. Afari-Gyan expressed his concern about the pressure and reputational damage that quick petitions can have on the courts. He used Nigeria as an example, highlighting the over one thousand election petitions currently pending before the courts following the 2023 elections. He emphasized the need to prevent a similar situation in Ghana.
In order to discourage the trend of rushing to court with improbable election petitions, Dr. Afari-Gyan suggested that unsuccessful petitions should face punitive sanctions. This, he believes, will encourage individuals to carefully consider the merits of their case before initiating legal proceedings, leading to a more judicious use of the legal system.
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