Election Watch Ghana has called on President John Dramani Mahama to use the impending leadership changes at the Electoral Commission (EC) as an opportunity to rebuild public trust and strengthen confidence in Ghana's electoral system.

The appeal follows the departure of two senior officials of the Commission. Deputy Chairperson in charge of Corporate Affairs, Dr. Bossman Asare, has resigned to return to academia, while Deputy Chairperson responsible for Operations, Samuel Tettey, is set to retire. Both exits take effect on July 31, 2026.

In a statement issued on June 16, the election monitoring group said the vacancies present a critical moment for the appointment of leaders capable of driving reforms and enhancing the credibility of the Commission.

According to Election Watch Ghana, the tenure of the outgoing officials was characterised by growing public scepticism and concerns over the Commission's performance.

The group urged the President to select individuals with a strong commitment to transparency, innovation and operational efficiency in the management of elections.

It argued that future deputy commissioners should embrace modern technology to improve key electoral processes, including voter management, results transmission and collation, to promote timely and credible election outcomes.

Election Watch Ghana also expressed opposition to the elevation of existing junior officers within the Commission to the vacant positions, contending that such appointments would do little to address concerns about public confidence in the institution.

The group maintained that the next crop of leaders must possess unquestionable integrity, credibility and the ability to inspire trust among stakeholders.

Beyond the appointments themselves, Election Watch Ghana raised concerns about the constitutional framework governing the selection of Electoral Commission officials.

The organisation argued that the current process, under which appointments are made by the President in consultation with the Council of State, has fuelled perceptions of political influence and weakened confidence in the Commission's independence.

It therefore called for reforms that would make the appointment process more transparent, participatory and merit-based.

The group stressed that any individuals selected to serve in the vacant positions must demonstrate impartiality, professionalism and a strong commitment to safeguarding Ghana's democratic credentials.

Election Watch Ghana further expressed hope that the incoming officials would provide the leadership needed to strengthen the Commission and help restore public faith in the electoral process.