Joyce Bawah Mogtari, special aide to President-elect John Dramani Mahama, has called for reforms in the appointment process of the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, advocating for the position to be advertised and vetted by Parliament.
Speaking in the aftermath of the 2024 general elections, Mogtari expressed dissatisfaction with what she described as ineptitude and inefficiency at the EC, attributing these issues to the partisan nature of appointments to the Commission.
“The appointment process needs reform. The level of ineptitude we witnessed during this year’s elections is largely due to partisans being appointed to such a critical institution,” Mogtari said.
Her concerns were fueled by the chaotic handling of the 2024 elections, which included significant delays in result collation, disputes over declared outcomes, and allegations of misconduct.
Mogtari argued that such lapses undermine Ghana’s democratic principles and could have been avoided with a more transparent and merit-based process for selecting the EC Chairperson.
“Our democracy demands that the EC operates as a truly independent body, free from the influence of partisan interests,” she emphasized.
She proposed a greater role for Parliament in vetting and approving candidates for the Chairperson position, asserting that this reform is vital to restoring public confidence in the country’s electoral system.
“Credible elections are the cornerstone of democracy. If we truly value our democratic gains, we must prioritise reforms that ensure the independence and efficiency of the EC,” Mogtari concluded.
