Election Watch Ghana has called for constitutional and legal reforms to strengthen the independence, impartiality and credibility of the Electoral Commission (EC).

The call comes as the organisation congratulates Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Emelia Afi Agbenyo on their appointment and inauguration as Deputy Chairpersons of the Commission.

In a statement dated October 14, 2026, Election Watch Ghana said recurring public concerns about the actual or perceived political affiliations of persons appointed to the Commission underscore the need to review the existing appointment framework.

It urged the President, Parliament, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support constitutional amendments that would introduce a transparent, merit-based and broadly consultative appointment process.

“We therefore urge the President, Parliament, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to support appropriate constitutional amendments that promote a transparent, merit-based, and broadly consultative appointment process,” the organisation said.

Election Watch Ghana noted that political affiliation alone does not determine an individual’s ability to serve impartially but stressed that the appointment process must inspire public confidence and minimise perceptions of partisan influence.

It added that the credibility of elections should not depend solely on the integrity of individual officeholders but also on strong institutional safeguards.

“The credibility of our elections must not depend solely on the integrity of individual officeholders but also on strong institutions that command public trust,” the statement said.

Beyond the appointment process, the organisation highlighted the need for greater technological competence in election management, particularly in information technology, cybersecurity, database management and electronic results management.

It said it would have welcomed greater emphasis on demonstrable expertise in these areas in the selection of candidates for the Deputy Chairperson positions.

The organisation encouraged the newly appointed officials to pursue relevant professional training and certifications to strengthen their contribution to the modernisation and oversight of the Commission’s technological systems.

It also called on the EC to subject its electoral technologies to rigorous testing and appropriate independent audits with safeguards against errors, manipulation, cyberattacks and unauthorised access.

“We also urge the Commission to ensure that its electoral technologies undergo rigorous testing and appropriate independent audits, supported by safeguards against errors, manipulation, cyberattacks, and unauthorised access,” Election Watch Ghana stated.

According to the organisation, such measures are essential to ensuring that election results are secure, transparent, verifiable and worthy of public confidence.

Election Watch Ghana further urged the new Deputy Chairpersons to discharge their duties without fear, favour or political interference, emphasising that their primary obligation must be to the constitution, electoral laws and the Ghanaian people.

It also commended the President for promoting women’s representation in national leadership and expressed hope that the new Deputy Chairpersons would demonstrate professionalism, integrity and dedication in their roles.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to independently monitoring the commission’s performance while engaging constructively with the institution in the interest of credible elections and democratic accountability.