A group photograph of members of JCE
The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) in collaboration with Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) among other civil society organizations (CSOs) on Tuesday hosted 12-member delegation from the Kenyan Judicial Committee on Elections (JCE) at its headquarters at East Legon, Accra
According to the leader of the delegation, Deputy Chief Justice and Vice President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Justice Philomena Mwilui, the JCE was visiting Ghana as part of a benchmarking tour of selected countries to gain useful insights into the handling of election disputes among other best practices related to the conduct of elections.
She continued that Kenya is preparing for its second general elections on August 8, 2017 since the adoption of its new constitution.
The Deputy Chief Justice explained that considering the importance of election disputes resolution in each election cycle, the Judiciary established the JCE in 2012 as a permanent committee charged with the responsibility of ensuring that election related disputes are adjudicated promptly and with the fairness to all parties involved.
Justice Mwilu was happy that JCE had since made significant success in the discharge of its mandate and has built the capacity of judicial officers, making administrative arrangements to enable members of the judiciary adjudicate election related disputes as required by the laws of Kenya.
“The committee has in accordance with its mandate trained and designated more than ninety(90) magistrates in this capacity to handle such disputes throughout the country among other programmes” she stated.
Prof. Miranda Greenstreet, Co-Chair of the Committee of Domestic Elections revealed that the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in ensuring successful elections in the country cannot be overemphasized.
‘Our mandate does not just end at the conduct of elections but begins far ahead of the elections; this is to ensure that all the structures work well before, during and after the elections,” she clarified.
The Co-Chairman stated that in Ghana, CSOs work very closely with the Judiciary, the Electoral Commission, Security and other key stakeholders on very critical issues which help to sensitize them or draw their attention on developments likely to affect the smooth conduct of the elections.
“At the grassroots, we are constantly with the people engaging them through any available medium such as sports, symposia, games and health walks to send the message of peace building to them,” she stated.
The Executive Director of IDEG, Emmanuel Akwetey indicated that although the judiciary in the past distant itself from the Electoral process, its recent activism in adjudication of election disputes and sensitization engagements need great commendation.
He mentioned the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood’s special courts throughout the country and the unveiling of an Election Adjudication Manual as bold indicators among others which has raised public confidence in the judicial system.
Major-General Nii Carl Coleman, Chairman of CFI and Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) stressed the need for constant engagements at all levels to ensure that people become well versed in what is required of them as citizens.
By Solomon Ofori