Electoral Commission

Transparency. Fairness. Integrity

info@ec.gov.gh

+233 (0) 30 396 8750

Transparency. Fairness. Integrity

info@ec.gov.gh

+233 (0) 30 396 8750

Electoral reforms

Definition: “Electoral Reform” is a broad term that is used to describe changes aimed at improving the responsiveness of the electoral process to public desires and expectations.
They may be legal or administrative in nature; or political; which takes place in the political environment within which the EMB operates, such as giving it more autonomy, or creating a more effective framework for its funding and accountability.

 

LIST OF ELECTORAL REFORM ITEMS

A. RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION & IMPLEMENTED

1.Institutionalization of IPAC

2.Define the Term “Ordinary Resident”

3.Extend the period of notice for the Voter Registration Exercise from 14 to 21 days

4.Use BVD for Exhibition of the Provisional Register

5.Implementation of continuous voter registration

6.Election Officials and Party Agent to take oath before a Magistrate instead of an Officer of the Electoral Commission

7.Reduce the number of Voters per Polling Station

8.Raise the minimum Education qualification requirement for recruitment as election officer

9.Improve compensation package for Election Officials

10.Improve upon the training of Election Officials

11.Expand the list of special voters to include accredited media personnel and Election Observers.

12.Returning Officers should give copies of Proxy, Special and Absent voters lists       to candidates.

13.EC should give copies of the final voters register to the political parties 21 days   before elections

14.Priority to be given to vulnerable persons at the polling stations

15.EC should take steps to reduce rejected ballots

16.Redesign and simplify the statement of Poll and Declaration of Results forms

17.Serially number all Statement of Poll and Declaration of Results forms

18.Clear provision to be followed on the adjournment of poll

19..Appoint Collation Officers for each Constituency

20.Set up National Collation Centre to replace the Strong Room.

B. REFORMS PARTIALLY IMPLEMENTED

21.Continuous Voter Registration- Regulation 9(1&2) of C.I 91

22.Expand the list of Special Voters to include Media Personnel and Election Observers

C. REFORMS YET TO BE IMPLEMENTED

23. Hold presidential and parliamentary elections on 7th November.

24. Electoral Commission to publish in the gazette all polling stations with

their Codes and locations not later than 42 days before election.

25.Publication of the Presidential Election Results on a polling station by polling station basis.

26.Electoral Commission should be given the mandate to apply to Court to delete names of unqualified persons from the Provisional Voters Register.

D. REFORM RECOMMENDATIONS OUTSIDE THE AMBIT OF THE COMMISSION

27.Shorten the period for the determination of a presidential election petition
28.Spell out the grounds for invalidating the election of a president.

29.Establish election tribunals to hear and determine electoral cases and petitions
30.Empower the EC to prosecute election offences.

31.Remove the requirement for the consent of the of Attorney-General before prosecution of election offences.

32.The financial estimates of the electoral commission should be sent directly to parliament without being subjected to the control of the executive.

33.Appointments of members of EC should be with the prior approval of parliament.

34.The term of office of the chairperson and members of the Electoral Commission should be limited to two five-year, periods.