Ghana’s Former Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Kwadwo Afari- Gyan has cautioned political parties participating in the December 7 elections to exercise patience when dealing with “pink sheets” during and after the polls.
According to him, he thinks the Electoral Commission should be spared the needless petitions, “I sincerely think that the courts and Electoral Commission must be spared in an improbable election petition. Not only do they needlessly waste time but they can also cause undeserved injury to the reputation of a judge or EC, in the minds of supporters of some party candidates irrespective of the verdict.
Speaking at this year’s Ghana Bar Association conference on Monday 9th September, 2024, Dr. Afari – Gyan pointed out that “Because of this ability to cause undeserved damage, I am suggesting that instead of regarding every election petition a public interest litigation, improbable petitions should attract punitive sanctions,”.
He cautioned the judiciary to be swift through out the electoral petitions and introduce punitive actions against persons who bring frivolous cases.
Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan described some petitions as improbable, urging the court to determine which cases have success or not.