IDEG Urges Swift Passage of Legislation to Resolve Parliamentary Disputes

Tamale: The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) has urged Parliament to fast-track legislation setting a 120-day deadline for adjudicating parliamentary election petitions. IDEG emphasized that enacting this law would prevent prolonged electoral disputes that could threaten Ghana's democratic stability.According to Ghana News Agency, the recommendation stems from the Strategic and Impactful Implementation of Electoral and Institutional Reforms in Ghana project, launched in 2023 by IDEG and the Northern Sector Action on Awareness Centre (NORSAAC), with European Union (EU) funding. This project was initiated to advance key reforms recommended by the EU Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) 2020 ahead of the 2024 elections.At a post-election forum in Tamale, Mr. Kwesi Jonah, IDEG's Research Fellow for Advocacy and Institutional Relations, highlighted the necessity of legislative action to address lengthy parliamentary disputes. He pointed out that despite updates to the Judicial Service's Election Adj udication Manual, the lack of enabling legislation means no binding timeframe exists for resolving parliamentary petitions before the December 2024 elections.Mr. Jonah stated, '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.'IDEG has proposed that Parliament and the Judiciary collaborate to pass a law requiring the resolution of parliamentary election disputes within 120 days, aligning with international best practices and strengthening electoral credibility. This reform is part of a broader post-2024 agenda to institutionalize timely and transparent electoral processes in Ghana's democratic framework.