C J: Judiciary ready for possible election disputes

Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, Chief Justice of Ghana, has stated unequivocally that the Judiciary stands prepared to handle any election-related disputes that may arise, armed with a meticulously updated manual on election adjudication.

Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo gave the assurance when she officially launched the fifth edition of the Judiciary’s “Manual on Election Adjudication” at the Law Court Complex in Accra on Thursday, 31 October 2024.

Consolidation

The Chief Justice stressed that the manual consolidates all relevant laws and recent updates in case law that judges will rely on to resolve election disputes. The manual, now in its fifth edition since its inception in 2008, has grown in scope and sophistication, offering a more comprehensive reference that reflects the evolving legal landscape around election adjudication in Ghana.

Justice Torkornoo emphasised the importance of this resource, which is now divided into three volumes to facilitate ease of use and to address the complexities of election law in an organized format.

“This year’s edition, divided into three volumes as the most significant change, is a credit to its drafters. They do a thorough job of reflecting the changing course of election law while remaining true to the overarching principles that have guided previous editions,” she remarked.

According to her, the three volumes cover essential procedural and substantive legal frameworks, providing a robust guide for adjudicating disputes that may arise throughout the electoral process.

Indispensable

Reflecting on her role as an “administrator of justice,” Justice Torkornoo described the manual as an indispensable resource for all stakeholders.

“Nothing can be taken for granted in court work,” she cautioned, highlighting the importance of proper legal procedures and the critical need to meet evidentiary thresholds.

“A failure to provide the legal threshold of evidence can be costly,” she warned, noting that even the smallest procedural missteps could cost litigants a favourable outcome.

She urged election candidates, their legal teams, and especially the media to utilize this manual to navigate and accurately inform the public about election-related cases.

“This manual should be extremely helpful to the media, who need to correctly inform the public on ongoing disputes,” Justice Torkornoo stressed.

Accessible

The manual, she affirmed, is not merely for the judiciary or the legal profession but has been made widely accessible for election administrators, candidates, journalists, and all Ghanaian citizens. She noted that by broadening its usage, the Judiciary aims to enhance transparency and mitigate misunderstandings about electoral processes, thereby fortifying public confidence in the courts as fair arbiters in election-related disputes.

She urged all Ghanaians to become familiar with the manual’s content, which she described as “a good guide for accessing justice in the courts.”

Commendation

Justice Torkornoo also expressed gratitude to the team responsible for the manual’s development, singling out HL Justice Baffoe Bonnie, HL Tanko Issiful Omoro Amadu, HL Emmanuel Kulendi, HL Samuel Adibu Asiedu, HL Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, HL Kwasi Boakye, and Mrs. Gifty Preko Nyarko for their tireless work on the project.

She acknowledged the consistency and dedication that had elevated this manual into a resource that strengthened Ghana’s democratic fabric.

A soft copy of the manual is now available on the Judicial Service website, ensuring easy access for all who wish to familiarize themselves with the nation’s legal standards for election adjudication.

Story by Wilberforce Asare