By Zobia Zulfqar 
Election Watch Ghana has called for major reforms in the leadership of the Electoral Commission (EC), urging newly appointed deputy commissioners to harness modern technology to improve transparency and strengthen public confidence in Ghana’s electoral process.
The appeal follows the resignation and retirement of some deputy officials at the Electoral Commission, a development the civil society organization believes presents an opportunity to rebuild trust in one of the country’s most important democratic institutions.
In a statement issued on June 16, Election Watch Ghana said the tenure of the outgoing officials had been marked by disappointment, inconsistency, and declining public confidence. According to the group, Ghana now has a chance to reset the Commission’s image by appointing leaders who are innovative, competent, and committed to electoral integrity.
The organization called on President John Dramani Mahama to appoint deputy commissioners who can modernize the country’s electoral systems and ensure elections are conducted efficiently and transparently.
According to the group, future EC leaders must embrace technology to improve various aspects of election administration, including voter verification, result transmission, and vote collation.
“The next generation of Electoral Commission leaders must leverage modern technologies to streamline voting processes, result transmission, and collation to ensure timely and credible elections,” the statement noted.
Election Watch Ghana believes the use of technology can help reduce delays, minimize human errors, and enhance public trust in election outcomes. It argued that adopting innovative solutions has become necessary as electoral systems around the world evolve to meet growing demands for transparency and accountability.
The group also expressed opposition to the possibility of promoting current junior officers within the Electoral Commission to fill the vacant deputy leadership positions.
According to Election Watch Ghana, many of the existing junior officials do not possess the level of credibility and public confidence needed to restore trust in the institution.
“The people of Ghana deserve better,” the group stated, adding that it would resist any attempts to elevate current junior officers to the deputy commissioner roles.
Beyond the appointments themselves, the organization raised concerns about the process through which Electoral Commission leaders are selected.
Under Ghana’s Constitution, the President appoints Electoral Commission officials in consultation with the Council of State. However, Election Watch Ghana pointed out that the law does not require the President to follow the Council’s recommendations.
The group argued that this arrangement has contributed to public perceptions of political influence and partisanship in the appointment process.
To address these concerns, Election Watch Ghana called for a more transparent, inclusive, and merit-based approach to selecting Electoral Commission leaders.
“We call for a more transparent and inclusive appointment process that prioritizes merit and public interest,” the group said.
It further urged prospective appointees to demonstrate integrity, impartiality, professionalism, and a commitment to serving the national interest above political considerations.
According to the organization, restoring confidence in Ghana’s electoral system will depend not only on who is appointed but also on how those appointments are made and how effectively the new leaders perform their duties.
Election Watch Ghana said it intends to closely monitor the appointment process and hold the incoming leadership accountable for their actions.
The group emphasized that strengthening public trust in the Electoral Commission is essential to safeguarding Ghana’s democracy and ensuring that future elections remain free, fair, and credible.
As Ghana prepares to usher in a new generation of Electoral Commission leaders, Election Watch Ghana insists that technology, transparency, and merit must guide the path forward.
Source: 3News