The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has opposed the idea of imposing sanctions on political parties failing in election petitions, countering the suggestion put forth by former Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.
Dr Afari-Gyan proposed severe penalties during a Constitutional Day Public Lecture, arguing that it would discourage frivolous court petitions.
Speaking at the event organized by the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School, and the One Ghana Movement, he highlighted that such sanctions could discourage individuals from hastily filing election petitions in court.
He pointed out, “It appears that some candidates rush to court with election petitions alleging manipulation of results, primarily to placate their financiers and supporters so that they will be given another chance to be a candidate in the next elections.”
The Director of Elections and Research for the NPP, Evans Nimako, expressed his disagreement with Dr. Afari-Gyan’s proposal, emphasizing the judiciary’s existing authority to award costs and raising concerns about hindering the pursuit of justice through legal means.
Nimako questioned, “Are we saying that this is in a way to stop people from pursuing justice? And the fact that you go to court does not mean you will be successful.”
