Judiciary and Parliament Urged to Legislate Timely Resolution of Parliamentary Election Disputes

The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) has called on Ghana’s Judiciary and Parliament to expedite the passage of legislation that will set a clear 120-day deadline for adjudicating parliamentary election petitions, to prevent prolonged electoral disputes that undermine democratic stability.

The recommendation follows the implementation of the Strategic and Impactful Implementation of Electoral and Institutional Reforms in Ghana project, launched in 2023 by IDEG and NORSAAC with funding from the European Union (EU).

The project aimed to advance key reforms recommended by the EU Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) 2020 in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.

“It is one thing to revise manuals; it is another to ensure implementation through law. Without legislation, the delays in resolving electoral disputes will persist,” he noted.

IDEG has proposed that Parliament and the Judiciary collaborate to pass a law mandating that all parliamentary election disputes be resolved within 120 days, aligning with international best practices and enhancing electoral credibility.

The reform is part of a broader post-2024 agenda aimed at institutionalizing timely and transparent electoral processes in Ghana’s democratic framework.

BY RAISSA SAMBOU