Institute Sanctions Against Parties, Politicians Who File Frivolous Election Petitions - Joe Ghartey

Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Joe Ghartey has suggested that the legal system of Ghana should penalize individuals or Political Parties who submit frivolous or baseless election petitions.According to him, the move will discourage the misuse or abuse of legal mechanisms related to elections that lack merit, based on trivial or negligible grounds, that are presented with due seriousness.The former Presidential Aspirant of the ruling New Patriotic Party, said this when he was speaking as a Guest Speaker on the Constitution Day - Public Lecturer organized by One Ghana Movement on Monday.He expressed that "Today another rising phenomenon is going to the Supreme Court with an election petition after a Presidential election and to the High Court after a Parliamentary election.

We must be careful so that we don’t create another level of electioneering"."I am of the view that where there is no basis for a petition the court before which the matter is should mulct the Petitioners in heavy and punitive cost.

I am of the view however that election violence is on the decrease, not the increase.

It is alleged that people pay others to create lies about others which they promote on social media and other platforms" the MP for Essikado/Ketan noted.Joe Ghartey continues that the surprising thing is that when you confront some people, they tell you it is politics.

Even though we have rules to deal with defamation both under customary law and under common law perhaps this business of pure lies and insults is so serious that the Law Reform Commission should look at crafting special laws to deal with it".Mr Joe Ghartey was of the view that the sanction he proposed must include banning the person who is sponsoring or perpetuating the lie or insult from holding public office.He added "We must take this seriously because this growing trend can undermine our democracy.

We say that when you see your brother’s beard burning you fetch water if yours starts burning too".He said "Closely related to lies and insults is the problem of making promises.

I made it a point not to make wild promises during an election campaign".The former Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament noted that 'Another matter that should occupy our attention regarding elections is campaign financing.