Election Watch Ghana has issued a strong call for a comprehensive overhaul of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) leadership appointment framework following the recent exit of several senior officials.
In a press statement released on June 16, 2026, the policy group criticized the previous administration of the EC, describing its tenure as one “marked by disappointments, inconsistency and lack of trust from the public.”
The group urged President John Mahama to prioritise transparency and technical modernization in selecting the next deputy commissioners.
The civic organization explicitly opposed promoting internal junior staff to fill the newly vacant leadership roles, arguing that a clean break from the current internal culture is necessary to restore national confidence.
“We emphasise that the current junior officers do not possess the requisite credibility and public integrity to assume the leadership role,” Election Watch Ghana stated, adding firmly that it “will not accept any appointment that promotes them to these positions. The people of Ghana deserve better.”
Beyond specific personnel changes, the advocacy group leveled sharp criticism against the structural vulnerabilities embedded within Ghana’s constitutional appointment process. Under current regulations, the
President selects the EC leadership “in consultation” with the Council of State. However, Election Watch Ghana argued that this mechanism lacks true legislative teeth and breeds political bias.
“This practice has contributed to the perception of partisanship and undermined the independence of the Commission,” the statement noted. “We all know the President is not bound by the advice of the Council of State by law. We call for a more transparent and inclusive appointment process that prioritizes merit and public interest.”
With critical national elections on the horizon, the group highlighted the urgent need for structural updates within the commission’s operational workflow. They emphasized that new leadership must be prepared to integrate advanced technical systems to secure electoral outcomes.
According to the group, upcoming deputy commissioners must “leverage modern technologies to streamline voting processes, result transmission, and collation to ensure timely and credible elections.”
Election Watch Ghana concluded its statement by warning that it intends to act as a strict institutional watchdog throughout the transition phase. The organization stated it will closely monitor the nomination process to ensure new leaders can effectively push the current chairperson toward meaningful internal reforms.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
