The Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has launched a newly revised edition of the Manual on Election Adjudication in Ghana, a comprehensive resource intended to guide judicial handling of electoral disputes.
The manual, produced by the Judicial Service, has been updated every election year since 2008 to reflect evolving regulations and judicial practices.
This fifth edition is unique in its three-volume structure, covering distinct areas of election adjudication.
“It is our resolve to go over and beyond our call of duty to ensure that the relevant law is not only known to judges and lawyers but available as a useful tool for election administrators,” Justice Torkornoo emphasized, encouraging all stakeholders to utilize the manual as a cornerstone for justice in electoral matters.
Justice Torkornoo highlighted the Judicial Service’s commitment to democratic integrity, describing the manual as crucial for ensuring transparency, fairness, and adherence to the rule of law in the election process.
She urged familiarity with the manual’s contents to prevent misunderstandings that could undermine the nation’s democratic foundations.
“Its wide usage and familiarity will prevent avoidable misunderstandings and strengthen our democracy,” she added.
This edition of the manual includes contributions from civil society organizations (CSOs), the Electoral Commission (EC), the Judiciary, and other stakeholders on improving electoral dispute resolution.
A soft copy will be made available for free on the Judicial Service’s website, ensuring broad accessibility.
The launch, attended by key figures such as EC Deputy Chairpersons Dr. Bossman Eric Asare and Samuel Tettey, members of the diplomatic corps, judges, and traditional leaders, also spotlighted the efforts of past Chief Justices and the Judicial Service’s Election Management Committee (EMC).
Justice Torkornoo acknowledged Justice Georgina Theodora Wood for initiating the manual and her predecessors for upholding its publication.
EMC Chair Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie noted that feedback gathered from extensive stakeholder consultations was integral to this edition, addressing concerns like expediting parliamentary election disputes.
“The EMC also conducted training for magistrates and High Court judges… to act as district registration review officers and chief review registration officers,” he said, reinforcing the service’s commitment to efficient and fair election adjudication.
