Africa-Press – Ghana. The Constitution Review Committee has recommended amendments to enhance procedures for the appointment and removal of Members of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC).
The Committee submitted its report to President John Mahama on Monday, December 22, 2025.
The Committee recommends an amendment to Articles 217 and 70 to provide that the Commissioner and each of the Deputy Commissioners shall be appointed by the President acting in accordance with the nomination submitted for the respective vacancies by the Council of State (as reformed), subject to the prior approval of Parliament.
Under this proposed amendment, the Council of State shall be responsible for selecting a suitable nominee for a vacant position on the Commission, following an open, competitive and meritocratic recruitment process, which shall be administered on behalf of the Council of State by the Public Services Commission (PSC).
A vacant position on the Commission shall be advertised publicly by the PSC, stating the qualifications for the position. The PSC will undertake initial screening of applicants and provide the Council of State with a shortlist of qualified candidates, who shall then be interviewed or vetted by the Council until a final nominee is selected for submission to the President.
The President shall then forward the nominee on to Parliament and, upon receiving the approval of Parliament, the nominee shall be appointed by the President.
Tenure of the Commissioner and Deputy CommissionersThe Committee recommends an amendment to Article 223 to provide that the Commissioner and each of the Deputy Commissioners of the Commission shall hold office for a single, non-renewable term of ten (10) years or upon or until he or she attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
A person who has held the office of Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner shall, upon retiring or resigning from the position, be ineligible for appointment to any other public office, until after a three-year cooling off period.
Removal of Commissioner and Deputy CommissionerThe Committee recommends an amendment to Article 228 to provide as follows:
▪ The Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner may be removed only on grounds of a willful violation of law, dereliction of duty, or abuse of power.
▪ A petition seeking the removal of the Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner shall be submitted to the Council of State; the petition shall state the grounds for removal and the relevant facts supporting the petition.
▪ Upon receipt of the petition, the Council of State shall constitute a subcommittee of its members to review the petition to assess whether the petition discloses on its face grounds and facts requiring further investigation by the Council.
▪ If the preliminary review determines that the petition presents a case warranting further investigation, the Council shall constitute a five-person independent tribunal, with membership drawn from outside the Council, to conduct an investigation into the matter.
▪ The Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner who is the subject of the removal petition shall be accorded all appropriate due process, including representation by counsel and a right to interrogate and crossexamine the Petitioner.
▪ The tribunal shall make its recommendation to the Council upon conclusion of its investigation.
▪ The Council of State shall submit the recommendations of the tribunal to the President, who shall act in accordance with the recommendation.
▪ The hearing shall be in-camera.
Excerpts from the Constitution Review Committee’s report
For More News And Analysis About Ghana Follow Africa-Press
