The Convener of Election Watch Ghana (EWG), Mark Ewusi Arkoh, has called on the government to ensure transparency, innovation, and integrity in the appointment of new Deputy Electoral Commissioners.
According to him, the tenure of the outgoing deputies was characterized by disappointments and inconsistencies that eroded public confidence in the Electoral Commission (EC). He argued that the commission failed to adequately build trust among citizens.
Mr. Awusi also expressed concerns about some of the current junior officers within the Electoral Commission, stating that Election Watch Ghana does not believe they possess the requisite credibility to automatically assume higher leadership positions.
He argued that while they had the opportunity to support the commission’s leadership in ways that would strengthen public trust and confidence, they failed to do so, making it necessary for government to carefully assess their suitability for any future appointments.
Mr. Awusi criticized what he described as the opaque nature of the appointment process for deputy commissioners, noting that many Ghanaians perceive partisan influences that undermine the independence of the commission. He therefore urged the government to adopt a more transparent and inclusive appointment process that prioritizes the public interest.
He further stressed the need for individuals with high standards of integrity to be appointed to leadership positions within the commission, adding that accountability and transparency must be central to the work of the EC.
The Election Watch Ghana Convener also emphasized the importance of technological innovation in Ghana’s electoral system. He noted that during the 2024 elections, political parties and media organizations were able to collate and communicate provisional results faster than the EC, exposing weaknesses in the commission’s information technology infrastructure.
According to him, the inability of the EC to provide real-time election updates creates unnecessary tension, particularly in closely contested elections and by-elections. He therefore called for the appointment of leaders who will prioritize technology-driven reforms to improve the collation and transmission of election results.
Mr. Awusi said Election Watch Ghana expects government to take these concerns into account when selecting a new crop of Deputy Electoral Commissioners to strengthen public confidence in Ghana’s electoral process.
The Electoral Commission is one of the governance institutions provided under the 1992 constitution. The Commission was established by the Electoral Commission Act (Act 451) of 1993. It was set up purposely to manage the conduct of all public elections and Referenda, to handle all matters directly related to the conduct of elections in the country. It is made up of 7 members – a chairman, 2 Deputy Chairmen, and 4 other members.
Article 46 of the 1992 constitution provides that” in the performance of its functions, the Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the control or direction of any authority” except as provided in the constitution or any other law not inconsistent with the constitution.
The Chairman and the two Deputy Chairmen have permanent tenure of office and enjoy the same conditions of service as justices of the Superior Courts.
The Electoral Commission has the power to appoint its officers and other employees by acting in consultation with the Public Service Commission. The administrative expenses of the Electoral Commission, including salaries, allowances and pensions are chargeable to the Consolidated Fund.
