Mode of Appointment of the Commission
The Council of State nominates capable, responsible people of integrity to fill in positions. All members of the Commission are appointed by the President.
Who Are the Members of the Commission?
According to Act 451- The Electoral Commission Act of 1993, the Electoral Commission shall comprise the following members:
- A chairman
- Two deputy chairmen
- Four other members
These members are responsible for the day-to-day functions of the Electoral Commission. Learn more about the Commission’s administrative and governmental functions at the Functions of the Department page.
What are the Qualifications and Process of Appointment?
The mode of appointment of the Commission members is specified in Article 43 of the 1992 Constitution and Act 451.
Qualification and Appointment of members of the Commission
- A person is not qualified to be appointed as a member of the Commission unless he is qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament.
- The President acting on the advice of the Council of State appoints the Chairman, Deputy Chairmen, and other members of the Commission. (Article 70(2))
What happens if a Member is Incapacitated or Dies?
If a member cannot fulfill his or her duties or dies, the President, acting on the advice of the Council of State appoints a qualified person to fill the vacancy.
Structure of the Commission
The Commission has its Office in the national capital, Accra, 16 functional regional offices and 266 district offices across the country. The head office has 7 departments and various units under them.
Appointment of staff of the Commission:
- The Commission shall appoint such officers and other employees as it may require for the effective implementation of its functions.
- The appointment of officers and other employees of the Commission shall be made by the Commission acting in consultation with the Public Services Commission.
What is the President’s Role in Appointment?
The President of Ghana has appointment power under the Constitution. While the framers of the Constitution have imposed varying levels of constraints on the President’s appointment power for democratic, governmental, prudential, and even historical considerations, the President wields both consultative and approval powers.
The President is compelled to act on the advice of the Council of State in selecting the Chairman/Chairwoman and members of the Electoral Commission as stated in Article 70(2) of the Constitution.
“The President shall act on the advice of the Council of State; appoint the Chairman, Deputy Chairmen, and other members of the Electoral Commission.”
-The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, Article 70(2)