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Assessment of Citizens Perception on the Independence of
Ghanas Electoral Commission

+rnest Adu-,yam-i
,hana +ducation Ser.ice) /iaso Senior 0igh School) Post '--ice 1o2 /3 !) /iaso) 4entral Region) ,hana
+-mail5 socialanalyst2%%46yahoo.com

Abstract
7he inde#endence o- election management bodies is .ery crucial and decisi.e in achie.ing credible and
legitimate elections and sustaining a country8s democracy. 7he study assessed citi9ens8 #erce#tion on the
inde#endence o- ,hana8s +lectoral 4ommission. /escri#ti.e sur.ey techni:ue was used with a sam#le si9e o-
two thousand res#ondents. Sim#le random sam#ling was used to sam#le res#ondents to answer the :uestionnaire
and inter.iew which were the research instruments. Result -indings showed that all res#ondents "!%%;$ said that
the +lectoral 4ommission is truly inde#endent in s#ite o- the challenges the body -aces and all the res#ondents
said that the role #layed so -ar by the +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana has made the ballot bo2 not only become
the chosen means -or electing #olitical re#resentati.es) credible elections are also ac<nowledged as the only
acce#table way to access #ower. 7he study concluded that the +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana is inde#endent
and one o- the best electoral bodies in A-rica and elections are one o- #rinci#al cornerstones -or democracy and
#olitical stability to thri.e. 7he study recommended that +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana should continue to
in.ol.e and connect all sta<eholders on a regular basis) #ro.iding the in-ormation they re:uire to #arta<e -ully in
and a##raise the electoral #rocess.
Keywords5 +lections) democracy) =ranchise) ,hana) legitimate #ower) electoral commission

1.0 Introdction
7here has been an enormous increase in interest in the conduct o- democratic elections throughout the world
since the late 7%s and uni.ersal call towards the creation o- inde#endent electoral bodies accountable -or all
as#ects o- the electoral #rocess -rom the registration o- :uali-ied .oters) the registration o- #olitical #arties) the
nomination o- candidates) the conduct o- and the declaration o- the results. 4onducting democratic elections
demands that electoral bodies be) and be seen to be) im#artial and inde#endent to discharge their mandate
e--ecti.ely and e--iciently. 7his is a .ital area) as the election body ma<es and im#lements essential decisions
that may mani#ulate and in-luence the result o- the elections.
+lections with credibility and integrity are the -oundation o- democracy. 7he honest and im#artial
o#eration o- electoral bodies is critical to success-ul election organisation) building and maintaining citi9ens8
con-idence in the election #rocess. National electoral bodies tend to run and -unction most success-ully when
they are #ermanent and o#erate inde#endently) im#artially and trans#arently. Inde#endent) im#artial and
trans#arent electoral bodies ma<e im#ortant contributions to democracy and the rule o- law and they create better
o##ortunities -or enhancing trans#arency and #ublic con-idence in elections by #rotecting the -ranchise but
-lawed elections can undermine democracy greatly.
According to +l<lit > Reynolds "2%%25 *?-*7$) connotes @the e2tent to which #olitical actors see the
entire electoral #rocess as legitimate and bindingA) has been seen as #rinci#al to democratic #romotion and
consolidation. 7he credibility) -reedom and -airness o- any elections in turn de#end greatly on the e--ecti.eness
o- electoral body) de-ined in terms o- strict adherence to the rules o- the election be-ore) during and a-ter
elections. Power is in the hands o- the citi9ens and during election times) the citi9ens .ote to em#ower their
elected re#resentati.es.
In emerging democracies) there has been an increasing trend to create inde#endent electoral bodies.
7his is identi-ied as a signi-icant action in building a tradition o- inde#endence and im#artiality) as well as
building the con-idence o- the electorate and #olitical #arties in the electoral #rocess. 3hile some countries ha.e
made signi-icant #rogress in terms o- conducting #eriodic elections) much less #rogress has been made in terms
o- the e--ecti.eness o- electoral management and the total :uality o- the elections) measured by the le.el o-
com#etition) #artici#ation and legitimacy o- the election.
7he legitimacy o- an election generally has to do with the e2tent at which #olitical sta<eholders
#articularly #olitical #arties acce#t the outcome o- elections in a #eace-ul and o#en manner. Ra<ner > S.asand
"2%%54$ lend credence to this when they argue that Bthe legitimacy o- the electoral #rocess hinges on the
electorates8 and candidates8 #erce#tion that the #rocess has been conducted in a way that does not in ad.ance
ensure a certain outcome. It is ac<nowledged that dealing with the ca#acity o- an electoral management body in
isolation will not basically gi.e -ree) -air and legitimate elections. It is .ery im#erati.e to -ocus on the total
#olitical en.ironment in which the elections ta<e #lace. 7he Cnited Nations there-ore also ma<es e--orts to build
ca#acity outside the electoral authorities. 7his in.ol.es wor<ing with .oters) the media) #olitical #arties and ci.il
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society) as well as other actors and institutions o- democratic go.ernance such as #arliament and the Dudiciary.
7he +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana has achie.ed inde#endence) #ro-essionalism and asserti.eness
with e.ery successi.e election since !&&2. In a nation-wide sur.ey held in 2%%2) an o.erwhelming maDority
"*%;$ o- an e2#ert #anel assessed the commission as Balways or largely8 im#artial and trans#arent in its acti.ities
"cited in Agyeman-/uah) 2%%55 5$. 7here-ore) this study assesses citi9ens8 #erce#tion on the inde#endence o-
,hana8s +lectoral 4ommission.

1.1 !tatement of Problem
+lection organisation in new and emerging democracies -aces a huge challenge. 7he integrity o- the elections in
this modern era o- democratic dis#ensation must be ensured by electoral bodies with the constitutional status o-
inde#endence -rom go.ernment) #olitical #arties8 and other bodies and e2#ected to #er-orm their assigned tas<
according to the rules and regulations as well as meeting internationally acce#tance standards o- good #ractice. It
is ac<nowledged that elections are the -oundation o- democracy and elections do not #romote and enhance the
cause o- democracy i- they are rigged) mani#ulated and corru#t but rather they will hinderE in -act) they hinder
the #romotion and consolidation o- democracy.
Fa<ing the needed attem#t to ensure that elections are conducted with integrity assist to achie.e the
reality o- the Cni.ersal declaration o- human rights and ins#iring international treaties5 a world where
go.ernments are mind-ul o- the inherent dignity and e:uality o- e.ery indi.idual) and res#ect their right to ha.e a
.oice in how they are go.erned. It is enshrined in the Cni.ersal /eclaration o- 0uman Rights) which states that
@everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country)A and that the will o- the people shall be
expressed in periodic and genuine elections.
7he International 4o.enant on 4i.il and Political Rights "!&??$ lays the legal basis -or the #rinci#les o-
democracy under international law) #articularly5 -reedom o- e2#ression "Article !&$E the right o- #eace-ul
assembly "Article 2!$E the right to -reedom o- association with others "Article 22$E the right and o##ortunity to
ta<e #art in the conduct o- #ublic a--airs) directly or through -reely chosen re#resentati.es "Article 25$E the right
to .ote and to be elected at genuine #eriodic elections which shall be by uni.ersal and e:ual su--rage and shall be
held by secret ballot) guaranteeing the -ree e2#ression o- the will o- the electors "Article 25$.7he 4o.enant is
binding on those States that ha.e rati-ied it. As o- Guly 2%!2) the number o- #arties to the 4o.enant was !?7)
which constitutes a##ro2imately *5 #er cent o- the Cnited Nations membershi# "Cnited Nations global issues$.
7he s#read o- multi-#arty democracy across continents has created and established an un#recedented reality in
world #olitics) which deser.es a lot o- research. 7here is much research on elections #articularly how to ma<e
electoral bodies inde#endent and im#artial) ensuring -ree and -air elections. 7he inde#endence o- ,hana8s
+lectoral 4ommission has centred on #anel o- e2#erts8 assessment and would be worthy and im#erati.e to assess
citi9ens8 #erce#tion on the inde#endence o- ,hana8s +lectoral 4ommission to contribute to the emergent body o-
<nowledge on the conduct o- elections and democratic consolidation in A-rica.

1." #b$ecti%es of the !tdy
7he general obDecti.e o- the study was to assess citi9ens8 #erce#tion on the inde#endence o- ,hana8s +lectoral
4ommission. 7he s#eci-ic obDecti.es o- the study were the -ollowing5
!. 7o e2amine citi9ens8 <nowledge on the -unctions o- +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana.
2. 7o -ind out citi9ens8 .iews on +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana8s role in ,hana8s democratic
de.elo#ment.
. 7o assess citi9ens8 #erce#tion on the inde#endence o- ,hana8s +lectoral 4ommission in the e2ercise o-
its -unctions.
4. 7o o--er recommendations base on the study -indings.

1.& 'esearch (estions
7he general research :uestion -or the study was how do citi9ens #ercei.e the inde#endence o- ,hana8s +lectoral
4ommission.
S#eci-ic :uestions were the -ollowing5
!. 3hat is the le.el o- citi9ens8 <nowledge on the -unctions o- +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hanaH
2. 3hat are citi9ens8 .iews on +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana8s role in ,hana8s democratic de.elo#mentH
. 0ow do citi9ens #ercei.e the inde#endence o- ,hana8s +lectoral 4ommission in the e2ercise o- its
-unctionsH

).0*iteratre 'e%iew
).1 Independent Electoral +ody and its 'oles
Inde#endent electoral bodies is a legally established body in charge o- more than conducting credible) -ree and
-air the election in a country without inter-erence -rom any indi.iduals) go.ernment) #olitical #arties and other
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bodies. An Inde#endent electoral body is the careta<er o- the integrity and legitimacy o- election which is a
critical segment o- the democratic #rocess. 7hey #er-orm their -unctions accordingly and wor< in a trans#arent
and im#artial manner and) where right) discuss with all sta<eholders on signi-icant matters) ma<e well thought-
out #olicy decisions and) #re-erably) ma<e <nown those decisions where sta<eholders including electorates and
#olitical #arties ha.e access to in-ormation on the electoral #rocedures and #rocess.
7he .ital role #er-ormed by electoral management bodies "+F1s$ to ma<e sure national consensus
as well as citi9ens and sta<eholder con-idence in the electoral #rocess is .ery #aramount. 4ritical and decisi.e
to the hel#-ulness and su##ort o- +F1s is their credibility. =or that reason) ensuring that the #ersons running the
election are considered im#artial and com#etent by the electorates) #olitical #arties and contesting as#irants
should be su#reme. 3ithout a doubt) i- the electorates and #olitical actors ha.e con-idence in the integrity o-
the #ersons and bodies running the election) they are more #robable to ac<nowledge the election result in
good -aith. 7he worth o- an election) according to +l<lit > Reynolds "2%%25 *?-*7$) is determined by @the e2tent
to which #olitical actors see the entire electoral #rocess as legitimate and binding.A
3inners and losers can agree to electoral #rocesses and results as satis-actory #ro.ided the elections
meet some con.entional #rinci#les and standards) cons#icuously #artici#ation) -ree and -air) com#etition and
legitimacy. 7hese indicators o- democratic -eature can only be guaranteed #ro.ided the +F1s meet .arious
essential re:uirements that su##ort and build u# e--icient electoral administration. 7hese re:uirements ha.e been
ac<nowledged to ta<e account o- the inde#endence o- the electoral management bodies. Cnder the doctrine o-
electoral democracy) all electorates ha.e the same rights to #arta<e as .oters and as#irantsE e.ery one must ha.e
e:ual .oting #owerE the secrecy o- the .ote must be guaranteedE electorates must ha.e momentous access to
electoral and cam#aign in-ormationE election su#er.ision must be conducted in a -ree) -air and im#artial wayE
elections must be conducted #eriodicallyE and the outcome o- elections be re:uired to be determined by the
unreser.edly cast .otes o- the :uali-ied electorates.
Inde#endent electoral bodies are considered #rinci#ally in re:uisites o- their com#osition) inde#endence)
enthusiasm) trans#arency and broad-s#ectrum ca#ability. 7hese conditions are .ital in order -or the +F1s to
success-ully -ul-ill their -unctions. Added #ertinent bodies including #olitical #arties) mass media) ci.il ser.ice)
the security agencies) ci.il society grou#s "4S's$) also re:uire to e--iciently #artici#ate in election #rocess. 7he
su#er.ision -unctions o- the #arliament and Dudiciary are also .ery -undamental "Ginadu) !&&7E +l<lit > Reynolds)
2%%2E Fo9a--ar > Schedler) 2%%2$.
7o ma<e administrators and #artici#ants accountable) legal and institutional -ramewor<s #ro.ide -or
o.ersight and en-orcement o- election laws. 4ontinuous o.ersight o- the #rocess by internal and e2ternal
mechanisms can hel# detect #roblems in the system and identi-y the grou#s or indi.iduals res#onsible. 7he use
o- law-ul and regulatory #rocedures is indis#ensable to manage the dealings o- indi.idual and singular interests.
+n-orcement actions are a restriction to #ersons #ondering unlaw-ul or unscru#ulous acti.ities) and #ro.ide to
re#rimand indi.iduals who ha.e gone contrary to the laws.
7he idea o- im#unity and inade:uate o- en-orcement o- laws can gi.e con-idence to an atmos#here o-
rigging) -raud and #oor conduct o- elections. 4ontinuing en-orcement o- rules and regulations is signi-icant
#recedence in dealing with rigging) -raud and other mani#ulations -rom the election #rocess) bringing -ol<s
answerable to integrity) and maintaining a sense o- con-idence in the electoral conduct.

).) ,emocracy and the Condct of Elections
/emocracy is one o- the uni.ersal and indi.isible core .alues and #rinci#les o- the Cnited Nations. It is based
on the -reely e2#ressed will o- #eo#le and closely lin<ed to the rule o- law and e2ercise o- human rights and
-undamental -reedoms. /emocracy) and democratic go.ernance in #articular) means that #eo#le8s human rights
and -undamental -reedoms are res#ected) #romoted and -ul-illed) allowing them to li.e with dignity. Peo#le ha.e
a say in decisions that a--ect their li.es and can hold decision-ma<ers to account) based on inclusi.e and -air
rules) institutions and #ractices that go.ern social interactions. 3omen are e:ual #artners with men in #ri.ate
and #ublic s#heres o- li-e and decision-ma<ing) and all #eo#le are -ree -rom discrimination based on race)
ethnicity) class) gender or any other attribute.
7he Cnited Nations also has established relations with regional and intergo.ernmental organisations
in.ol.ed in electoral assistance) including the A-rican Cnion) the +uro#ean Cnion) the International Institute -or
/emocracy and +lectoral Assistance) the 'rgani9ation o- American States) the 'rgani9ation -or Security and
4o-o#eration in +uro#e) and the Southern A-rican /e.elo#ment 4ommunity. 'ther #artners are the many
international non-go.ernmental organi9ations wor<ing in the -ield o- electoral assistance. 7hese include
institutions such as the 4arter 4enter) the +lectoral Institute -or the Sustainability o- /emocracy in A-rica) and
the International =oundation -or +lectoral Systems. 7hese relationshi#s #ro.ide o##ortunities -or collaboration
on electoral su##ort acti.ities as well as -or sharing lessons and e2#eriences "CN global issue$.
7he #olitical wor< o- the Cnited Nations demands that it #romotes democratic outcomesE the
de.elo#ment agencies see< to bolster national institutions li<e #arliaments) electoral commissions and legal
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systems that -orm the bedroc< o- any democracyE and the human rights e--orts su##ort -reedom o- e2#ression
and association) #artici#ation and the rule o- law) all o- which are critical com#onents o- democracy "CN global
issue$.
Inter-Parliamentary Cnion ado#ted in !&&7 Cni.ersal /eclaration on /emocracy -rom where we can
read that Aas an ideal democracy aims to #rotect and #romote the dignity and -undamental rights o- the
indi.idual) instill social Dustice and -oster economic and social de.elo#ment. /emocracy is a #olitical system that
enables #eo#le to -reely choose an e--ecti.e) honest) trans#arent and accountable go.ernment.A +lection can not
only be legitimate and credible) when electoral su#er.ision is organi9ed and held in a reasonably) orderly and
#ro-icient way.
In 2%%%) the CN/P ado#ted the #romotion o- democratic go.ernance as one o- its su##orting #rinci#les
in its de.elo#ment coo#eration e--ort. CN/P considers democracy and good go.ernance as a way to #romote
sustainable de.elo#ment. Iear 2%%% witnessed also the Cnited Nation Fillennium Summit which #roduced the
Cnited Nation Fillennium /eclaration and Fillennium /e.elo#ment ,oals. 3hile none o- the F/,s deals
directly with the #romotion o- democracy) it is ne.ertheless highlighted in the Fillennium /eclaration that
democracy) good go.ernance) rule o- law and res#ect o- human rights are the necessary conditions in order to
-ul-ill F/,s. 7he section ( o- the Fillennium /eclaration underlines the core .alues o- CN.
+lections are the -undamental tradition o- democratic re#resentati.e go.ernments. /emocracy
-lourishes on o#enness and accountability) with one .ery essential e2em#tion5 the act o- .oting itsel-. 7o cast a
-ree ballot and curtail the #ros#ect o- threats and intimidation) electorates in a democracy must be allowable to
cast their ballots in secret. At the same time) the #rotection o- the ballot bo2 and tallying o- .ote totals must be
conducted as o#enly as #ossible) so that citi9ens are con-ident that the results are accurate and that the
go.ernment does) indeed) rest u#on their Jconsent.J A credible) -ree and -air election in addition relies on
-reedom o- s#eech) assembly) association and mo.ement) and -reedom -rom -ear. ,enuine elections too needs a
trans#arent electoral #rocess) e:uitable electoral laws) regulations and systemsE e:ual o##ortunities -or all
#artici#ants) an -ree and unbiased election bodyE no .ictimisation and intimidationE a##ro#riate measuresE and
#recise tabulation and a##ro.al o- the electoral results.

)." Constittional Pro%isions of Ghanas Electoral Commission
7he +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana was established by Article 4 "!$ o- the !&&2 4onstitution o- the Re#ublic
o- ,hana. It is made u# o- se.en "7$ membersE a 4hairman) two /e#uty 4hairmen and 4 other Fembers. Article
4 "2$ sti#ulates that
@The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the president under article 70 of this constitution.
7he three 4hairmen ha.e #ermanent tenure o- o--ice and the same conditions o- ser.ice as Dudges o- the Su#erior
4ourtsE i.e. the 4hairman has conditions o- ser.ice o- A##eals 4ourt Gudges while the two /e#uty 4hairmen
ha.e conditions o- ser.ice o- 0igh 4ourt Dudges. 7he se.en members o- the 4ommission collecti.ely constitute
the #olicy-ma<ing and management body o- the organisation) and e2ercise general su#er.ision o.er the sta--.
7he 4ommission is re:uired to meet at least once e.ery two months. 'n a day-to-day basis) the three 4hairmen)
e2ercise e2ecuti.e #owers on behal- o- the 4ommission. 7he 4ommission has about !)45% em#loyees and its
administrati.e e2#enses are charged on the 4onsolidated =und "+lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana) 2%!2$.

).& Constittional -nctions of Ghanas Electoral Commission
7he main -unctions o- the 4ommission are outlined in the +lectoral 4ommission Act) !&& "Act 45!$) as
amended by the +lectoral 4ommission "Amendment$ Act) 2%% section 2 by the substitution -or #aragra#h "d$ o-
the -ollowing @"d$ to underta<e the #re#aration o- .oter identity cardsA) and in section !2 subsection "!$ by the
substitution -or #aragra#h "c$ o- the -ollowing5 @ "c$ the issue o- .oter identity cardsA) and the re#eal o- the
Identity 4ards /ecree) !&72 " N.R.4./ !2&$. It says5
7o com#ile the register o- .oters and re.ise it at such #eriods as may be determined by lawE
7o demarcate the electoral boundaries o- both national and local go.ernment electionsE
7o conduct and su#er.ise all #ublic elections and re-erendaE
7o educate the #eo#le on the electoral #rocess and its #ur#oseE
7o underta<e #rogrammes -or the e2#ansion o- the registration o- .otersE and
7o #er-orm such other -unctions as may be #rescribed by law.
In addition to what Article 45 sti#ulates) the 4ommission is assigned other -unctions in .arious #arts o- the
4onstitution. Article -i.e "5$ o- the !&&2 constitution assigns the 4ommission a role in the creation o- new
regions or the merger o- e2isting regions. 3hen it has been determined that there is substantial demand -or the
creation o- a new region or the merger o- e2isting regions) the +lectoral 4ommission must hold a re-erendum on
the matter in the a--ected area"s$. Article 47 em#owers the 4ommission to di.ide the country into #arliamentary
constituencies) bearing in mind certain -actorsE and to re.iew the constituencies at inter.als o- not less than se.en
"7$ years or within !2 months a-ter the #ublication o- #o#ulation -igures o- a national census.
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Article 5! em#owers the 4ommission to ma<e regulations -or the e--ecti.e #er-ormance o- its -unctions. The
Electoral Commission shall by constitutional instrument make regulations for the effective performance of its
functions under this constitution or any other la! and in particular for the registration of voters the conduct of
public elections and referenda including provision for voting by proxy.Article 55 "?$ o- the constitution ma<es
the 4ommission res#onsible -or the registration o- #olitical #arties. "n organi#ation shall not operate as a
political party unless it is registered as such under the la! for the time being in force for the purpose.
Article ? "2$ assigns to the 4ommission the res#onsibility o- setting the date -or a #residential election and
Article *& "!$ em#owers the 4ommission to ma<e regulations -or and su#er.ise the election o- the regional
re#resentati.es o- the 4ouncil o- State.
Article 2&% "4$ re:uires the 4ommission to hold a re-erendum in connection with a bill to amend an entrenched
#ro.ision o- the 4onstitution.

)..Independence of the Ghanas Electoral Commission
Article 4? o- the !&&2 constitution #ro.ides thatA e2ce#t as #ro.ided in the constitution or any other law not
inconsistent with the constitution) in the #er-ormance o- its -unctions) the +lectoral 4ommission shall not be
subDect to the control or direction o- any authorityA.
7he 4hairman and the two de#uty 4hairmen ha.e #ermanent tenure o- o--ice and enDoy the same
conditions o- ser.ice as Dustices o- the Su#erior 4ourts. 7he 4ommission has the #ower to hire and -ire sta-- and
is not under any obligation to acce#t sta-- -rom any :uarters) a#art -rom the Accountant ,enerals '--ice and the
Su##ly > Stores /e#artment under the Finistry o- =inance "+lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana) 2%!2$.

).. !tattory -nctions of the Ghanas Electoral Commission
It can be seen that the 4onstitution does assign a lot o- res#onsibilities to the +lectoral 4ommission. 1ut e.en so)
it is im#ortant to note that all the -unctions the 4ommission is re:uired to #er-orm cannot be -ound in the
4onstitution itsel-. Indeed) the 4onstitution tells us e2actly that when it says the 4ommission will #er-orm @such
other -unctions as may be #rescribed by lawA. So) in addition to the -unctions assigned to the 4ommission in the
4onstitution) Parliament may) by law) gi.e the 4ommission other res#onsibilities. 3e may re-er to these other
-unctions as statutory -unctions.
It is necessary then to turn to other laws to see what other -unctions ha.e been assigned to the
4ommission. 7hese laws either am#li-y a -unction con-erred by the 4onstitution by setting it out in more detail)
or con-er an entirely new -unction "+lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana) 2%!2$.
7he +lectoral 4ommission Act) !&& "Act 45!$ 2."g$ adds to the -unctions o- the 4ommission the
#ro#er storage o- election materials. !!. Re:uires the 4ommission to <ee# #ro#er boo<s o- accounts and the
necessary records to be audited annually by the Auditor ,eneral. Political Parties Kaw) 2%%% "Act 574$ am#li-ies
the 4onstitution8s #ro.isions on #olitical #arties by setting out in more detail conditions relating to -orming and
maintaining #olitical #arties. It also con-ers on the 4ommission the #ower to cancel the registration o- a #olitical
#arty and the circumstances under which this #ower may be e2ercised. 7he law -urther ma<es the +lectoral
4ommission res#onsible -or su#er.ising the election o- the national and regional e2ecuti.e o--icers o- registered
#olitical #arties.
Public and Political Party '--ice 0olders "/eclaration o- Assets and +ligibility$ Kaw) !&&2 "PN/4K.
2*%$. 7he Kaw re:uires #olitical #arty o--ice holders to submit their declaration o- assets -orms to the
4ommission. Section !! "5$ em#owers the 4ommission to ma<e regulations #rescribing the #rocedure and
conditions -or the nomination o- candidates) what declarations are to be made and how much de#osit is to be
#aid by candidates.
Kocal ,o.ernment Act) !&& "Act 4?2$ Section ! "$) "4$ and "5$ re:uire the 4ommission) when
directed by the President) to ma<e recommendations in connection with the creation o- a new district. 7he
4ommission must ascertain that the area concerned is geogra#hically contiguous and economically .iableE and
that there are at least 75)%%% #eo#le in the case o- a district) &5)%%% #eo#le in the case o- a munici#ality and
25%)%%% in the case o- a metro#olis. Section 2 re:uires the 4ommission) u#on a re:uest by the President) to
re.iew the areas o- authority o- district) munici#al or metro#olitan council and unit committees.
Section & #ro.ides that 25; o- the registered .oters in an electoral area may #etition the +lectoral
4ommission -or a recall o- their assembly member. C#on recei#t o- such a #etition) the 4ommission is re:uired
to conduct a re-erendum to decide the issue. At least 4%; must .ote in -a.our o- the recall -or it to succeed. 7he
4ommission8s other statutory -unctions entail conducting or su#er.ising elections -or .arious bodies in the
country.
7hey include the -ollowing5
7he election o- -i.e "5$ members o- each Regional 0ouse o- 4hie-s to the National 0ouse o- 4hie-s.
7he election o- the President and (ice- President o- the National 0ouse o- 4hie-s) as well as each
Regional 0ouse o- 4hie-sE
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7he election o- the e2ecuti.e o--icers o- the ,hana Fedical and /ental AssociationE the (eterans
Association o- ,hana "(A,$E and the 7rades Cnion 4ongress.
7he election o- the Presiding Fember o- a /istrict AssemblyE and
A##ro.al by a /istrict Assembly o- the /istrict 4hie- +2ecuti.e nominated by the President.
7he +lectoral 4ommission is o-ten called u#on to #ro.ide ser.ices) which it is not re:uired by any law
to #ro.ide. 7he maDor ser.ice in this regard is organi9ing) su#er.ising or conducting elections -or
.arious organi9ations to select their e2ecuti.e o--icers. 7he 4ommission readily #er-orms these ser.ices
in the belie- that such elections constitute a learning #rocess -or the members o- the organi9ation and
that this in turn -acilitates its wor< during general elections "+lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana) 2%!2$.
7he 4ommission is also sometimes called u#on to issue identity cards to members o- an organi9ation "+lectoral
4ommission o- ,hana) 2%!2$.

)./ !trctre of the Electoral Commission of Ghana
7he -ramewor< o- the current structure o- the +lectoral 4ommission can be -ound in three articles o- the !&&2
4onstitution o- ,hana.
Article 4 "!$ #ro.ides that the 4ommission shall consist o- the se.en "7$ members5
"a$ A 4hairman
"b$ 7he 4hairman is the chie- e2ecuti.e o--icer o- the 4ommissionE
"c$ "b$ 7wo /e#uty 4hairmen
"d$ 7he two /e#uty 4hairmen are in charge o- the two broad di.isions o- the 4ommissionE i.e. =inance and
Administration and the '#erations di.isionsE and
"e$ "c$ =our other Fembers.
"-$ Appointment of #fficers
"g$ Article 52 re:uires the 4ommission to a##oint o--icers and other em#loyees in consultation with the Public
Ser.ices 4ommission. =rom this rudimentary structure) the 4ommission has established a more elaborate
three-tier structure consisting o- the 0ead '--ice) Regional '--ices and /istrict '--ices.
"h$ -nctional ,i%isions
"i$ 7he 4ommission has two "2$ broad areas or -unctional di.isions) namelyE "a$ '#erations /i.ision "b$
=inance and Administration /i.ision.
"D$ +ach -unctional /i.ision is headed by a /e#uty 4hairman "'#erations$ and /e#uty 4hairman "=inance
and Administration$.
"<$ 0ead #ffice
"l$ 7he 4ommission is located at the 0ead '--ice in Accra) e.en though by law the 4ommission can meet
anywhere in ,hana designated by the 4hairman. 7he 4ommission is re:uired to meet at least once in e.ery
two "2$ months) that is) si2 "?$ times a year.
"m$ 7he se.en "7$ members o- the 4ommission collecti.ely constitute the #olicy-ma<ing and management
body o- the organi9ation and e2ercise general su#er.ision o.er the acti.ities o- its sta--. Section 7 o- the
+lectoral 4ommission Act) !&& "Act 45!$ em#owers the 4ommission to a##oint such 4ommittees as it
considers necessary -or the discharge o- its -unctions. Such committees may include #ersons who are not
members o- the 4ommission) but must be chaired by a member o- the 4ommission. 7he decisions o- such
committees are not binding on the 4ommission.
"n$ 'n a day-to-day basis) the 4ommission is re#resented by the 4hairman and the two "2$ /e#uty 4hairmen)
who are #ermanently situated at the 0ead '--ice. 4ollecti.ely or indi.idually) they #er-orm the managerial
-unctions o- the 4ommission.
"o$ ,epartments
7here are se.en "7$ de#artments at the 0ead o--ice. +ach o- these de#artments is headed by a /irector. 7he
de#artments are5 - +lectionsE =inanceE In-ormation 7echnologyE 0uman Resource and ,eneral Ser.icesE
Research and FonitoringE 7rainingE and Public A--airs.
"#$ 'e1ional #ffices
":$ A director) assisted by at least one de#uty regional director) heads a regional o--ice o- the 4ommission.
Cnli<e the head o--ice) a regional o--ice and its sta-- are not -ormally organi9ed into -unctional di.isions
and de#artments. A Regional /irector and his sta-- combine both '#erations and =inance and
Administration -unctions. As a result) a Regional /irector re#orts to the 4ommission through the 0ead
'--ice /irectors) as the case may be.
"r$ ,istrict #ffices
"s$ A /istrict +lectoral '--icer "/+'$ re#orts directly to his or her Regional /irector) and heads a /istrict
'--ice o- the 4ommission. Ki<e a Regional '--ice) a /istrict '--ice has no -unctional di.isions or
de#artments.
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Election #fficials
/uring elections) the 4ommission engages thousands o- o--icials o- .arious categories in tem#orary elections
duties. 7hey are not -ormally #art o- the 4ommission) but their ser.ices are so .ital to the wor< o- the
4ommission that they must be regarded as an in-ormal #art o- the structure o- the +lectoral 4ommission.
7he /istrict +lectoral '--icer "/+'$ recruits and wor<s closely with these o--icials. In this connection) the /+'
is re:uired to5
L Recruit the best #ersons a.ailable -or the Dob at hand.
L 'rgani9e and su#er.ise their #ro#er training.
L Instill in them the correct attitude towards electoral wor< "im#artiality) #robity) Accountability etc$ and to
maintain the integrity o- the 4ommission.
L 4o-ordinate their acti.ities in the s#irit o- team wor<E and
L Accord them) the im#ortance) res#ect and dignity that they deser.e "Source5 +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana)
2%!2$

".0 2ethodolo1y
".1 'esearch ,esi1n
/escri#ti.e sur.ey techni:ue was used -or this study. /escri#ti.e research is an all-inclusi.e research method
and it can integrate :uantitati.e data such as the use o- em#irical in-ormation) or can illustrate :ualitati.e data.
/escri#ti.e research re:uires gathering data that will e2#lain an e.ent and #resenting the in-ormation in a
structured and commonly .isual manner.

".) 'esearch Poplation
7he com#onent #o#ulation o- the study com#rised all indi.iduals who are !* years and abo.e and are :uali-ied
electorates residing in the -ollowing * constituencies out o- the 275 constituencies in ,hana5 Asawase and
Fam#ong constituencies in Ashanti Region) Sunyani +ast 4onstituency in 1rong Aha-o Region) C##er
/en<yira +ast) C##er /en<yira 3est) 7wi-o-Atii For<waa constituencies in the central Region) Amen-i +ast
and Amen-i 4entral constituencies in 3estern Region. 7hese constituencies were selected because o- their
#ro2imity to the researcher.

"." !ample !ize
7he sam#le si9e -or the study was two thousand res#ondents. 7wo hundred and -i-ty res#ondents -rom each
constituency were chosen -or the study.

".& !amplin1 Procedre
7his study engaged sim#le random sam#ling in selecting res#ondents to answer the :uestionnaire and
res#onding the inter.iew. Res#ondents were chosen based on their willingness and ability to answer to the
:uestionnaire.

".. 'esearch Instrment
Muestionnaire and structured inter.iew and were the #rinci#al research instruments em#loyed to collect the data
-rom the res#ondents. 7he :uestionnaire was em#loyed in order to get a standard -orm o- res#onses. 7he use o-
structured inter.iew hel#ed the researcher to mould the :uestions he as<ed the res#ondent in order to get the
in-ormation they need -or this #roDect and obser.ation was made to con-irm the answers the res#ondents ga.e.

&.0 'eslts and ,iscssion
&.1.1 3he Gender ,istribtion of 'espondents
7he gender allotment o- res#ondents is made <nown in "7able !$. =rom the table) !%&5"54.75;$ o- res#ondents
are males while &%5"45.25$ are -emales.
3able 14 Gender of 'espondents
Res#onses =re:uency Percentage
Fale !%&5 54.75
=emale &%5 45.25
7otal 2%%% !%%
Source5 =ield Sur.ey) 2%!2

&.1.) A1e ,istribtion of the 'espondents
7he age allocation o- the res#ondents is a##ro2imately e:ually di.ided between the youth and adult #o#ulation.
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Res#ondents who are !* years to 25 years were 4*%"24;$) 2?- years were 4??"2.$) 4-4! years were
4%&"!?.4;$) 5%-57 years were 2?5"!.25;$ and those res#onse who are 5* years and abo.e are 52"2.?;$.
FaDority o- the res#ondents were youth within the ages -rom !*-4!ma<ing !55"?7.75;$

3able )4 A1e of 'espondents
Res#onses =re:uency Percentage
!*-25 4*% 24
2?- 4?? 2.
4-4! 4%& 2%.45
42-4& 2* !?.4
5%-57 2?5 !.25
5* and abo.e 52 2.?
7otal 2%%% !%%
Source5 =ield Sur.ey) 2%!2

&.1." Edcational +ac51rond of 'espondents
7he educational bac<ground o- res#ondents is indicated in 7able . +ducational attainment o- res#ondents
ranged -rom #rimary education to those with tertiary education. All the res#ondents had some -orm o- education.
7hose res#ondents with #rimary education were 4!*"2%.&;$) secondary education is *7?"4.*;$ and tertiary
education is 7%?"5.;$. 7he sam#le is s<ewed "4.*;$ to those res#ondents with secondary education. I-
4iti9ens are well in-ormed and <nowledgeable) then it is coherent to assume that res#ondents will ha.e a
thorough <nowledge on the real state o- ,hana8s +lectoral 4ommission8s inde#endence

3able "4 Edcational *e%el of 'espondents
Res#onses =re:uency Percentage
No education - -
Primary 4!* 2%.&
Secondary *7? 4.*
7ertiary 7%? 5.
7otal 2%%% !%%
Source5 =ield Sur.ey) 2%!2

&.& Citizens Knowled1e on the -nctions of Electoral Commission of Ghana
7he researcher sought the res#ondents8 <nowledge o- the -unctions #er-orm by the +lectoral 4ommission "+4$
enshrined in the !&&2 Re#ublican 4onstitution o- ,hana hel# achie.e the study obDecti.e. All the
res#ondents" !%%;$ were able to state the wor< o- the electoral 4ommission which are to com#ile the register o-
.oters and re.ise it at such #eriods as may be determined by lawE to demarcate the electoral boundaries o- both
national and local go.ernment electionsE to conduct and su#er.ise all #ublic elections and re-erendaE to educate
the #eo#le on the electoral #rocess and its #ur#oseE to underta<e #rogrammes -or the e2#ansion o- the
registration o- .otersE and to #er-orm such other -unctions as may be #rescribed by law. 7he res#ondents8 were
ha##y about the <ind o- electoral #rocess education at the +lectoral 4ommission does organi9e -or citi9ens
through the .arious mass media.

&.. Effecti%e Electoral Commission Collaboration with !ta5eholder
In line with the obDecti.e o- the study) the researcher tried to as< the res#ondents i- there is an e--ecti.e
collaboration between the +lectoral 4ommission and the sta<eholders as re:uired owing to the -act that this
collaboration su##orts and enhances the electoral #rocess and create con-idence and credibility in the electoral
#rocess. 7able 4 indicates that almost all the res#ondents !&5"&?.75;$ agreed that there is an e--ecti.e
collaboration between the +lectoral 4ommission and the sta<eholders and only ?5".25;$ said there is a
collaboration between the +lectoral 4ommission and sta<eholders but did not agree that it is e--ecti.e.
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3able &4 'espondents 6iew on ECs Collaboration
Res#onse =re:uency Percentage
Ies !&5 &?.75
No ?5 .25
7otal 2%%% !%%
Source5 =ield sur.ey) 2%!2

/uring the inter.iew) the res#ondents said ,hana8s +lectoral 4ommission has collaborated e--ecti.ely with
sta<eholders) including establishing re#ute relationshi#s with #olitical #arties) media outlets) ci.il society
organi9ations) -aith Nbased organi9ations) security ser.ices) and the Dudiciary. Almost all the res#ondents
mentioned the ,hana Inter-Party Ad.isory 4ommittee "IPA4$ set u# in !&&4 by the electoral commission and
#olitical #arties as a trust-building machinery) which ensures that #rocesses leading to election challenges
are brought to the -ore -or discussion and that answers are ac<nowledged -or their resolution.
It is well ac<nowledged that democratic electoral #rocesses must be inclusi.e) trans#arent) res#onsible)
and considered to #romote citi9ens8 con-idence.

&./ Citizens %iews on ECs 'ole in Ghanas ,emocratic ,e%elopment.
+lections #lay critical role in the democratic de.elo#ment o- e.ery country as well as #olitical stability. +lections
are su##osed to be a #racticable tool o- ad.ancement. 7his #osition has been accorded uni.ersally and there is a
connection between democracy and de.elo#ment. It is understood that -ree and -air) credible elections) built on
u#on com#etition) #artici#ation and legitimacy will in.igorate the ci.il society to hold the go.ernment
answerable -or its dealings and actions.
All the res#ondents " !%%;$ said that the role #layed so -ar by the +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana has
made the ballot bo2 not only become the chosen means -or electing #olitical re#resentati.es) credible elections
are also recognised as the only acce#table way to access #ower. ,hana8s #residential and #arliamentary elections
since !&&2 as a noteworthy model o- democracy in 3est A-rica sub region and entire A-rican continent. ,hana
has conducted 5 successi.e elections #eace-ully in s#ite o- challenges and the +lectoral 4ommission is always
ready to -ind better ways o- im#ro.ing elections. (ery soon) ,hana will ha.e its si2th election and the +4 is
going to use electronic .oter registration and other technological tools which are intended to curtail election
rigging in ,hana) and stressing use-ul ways to su##ort electorates in e2ercising their -ranchise.

&./ Citizens Perception on the Independence of Ghanas Electoral Commission
7he magnitude and im#ortance o- inde#endent electoral commissions can ne.er be understated in any credible
and legitimate elections. 7he inde#endence o- the electoral commission is guaranteed by the ,hanaian
constitution. 7he res#ondents8 #erce#tion was sought to establish truly i- +lection 4ommission is inde#endent
through its acti.ities and -unctions -rom !&&2 #residential and Parliamentary +lections. All res#ondents "!%%;$
said that the +lectoral 4ommission is truly inde#endent in s#ite o- the challenges they -ace currently.
Res#ondents said that the +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana manages it own budget and wor< inde#endently -rom
go.ernment and other bodies8 inter-erence and there is a constitutional #ro.ision -or the a##ointment and
condition o- ser.ice -or the chairman and the two de#uties. 7he res#ondents said they ha.e the con-idence in
,hana8s +lectoral 4ommission and ,hana8s electoral #rocesses

..1 Conclsion
In conclusion) it is established that the +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana is inde#endent and one o- the best
electoral bodies in A-rica based on the -indings o- the study and elections are one o- #rinci#al cornerstones -or
democracy and #olitical stability. 7hey are the under#inning o- the social contract through which elected
leaders obtain authority and legitimacy to rule. Kegitimate) -ree and -air) credible elections im#ro.e and boost
#ros#ects -or democratic consolidation) whereas rigged) corru#t and mani#ulated elections ha.e a #ro#ensity to
destabili9e and hinder socio-economic and #olitical de.elo#ment.

..) 'ecommendations
!. +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana should continue to in.ol.e and connect all sta<eholders on a regular
basis) #ro.iding the in-ormation they re:uire to #arta<e -ully in and a##raise the electoral #rocess.
2. International community and regional organisations should continue to su##ort electoral assistance by
enhancing national #ossession electoral bodies and building national harmony on the election #rocess.
. +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana should continue sustain its standards o- #ro-essionalism in all areas o-
the electoral #rocess consolidate trans#arency and consensus all the way through the electoral #rocess5
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be-ore) during) and a-ter elections
4. +lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana should wor< with all registered #olitical #arties) candidates #olling
agents) domestic election monitors and obser.ers) international obser.ers in.ol.ed in monitoring the
electoral #rocess to create citi9ens8 con-idence.

'eferences
Agyeman-/uah) 1. 2%%5. +lections and +lectoral Politics in ,hana8s =ourth Re#ublic) 4ritical Pers#ecti.e
No.!*) 4//-,hana) Guly.
+lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana Act !&& "Act 45!$
+lectoral 4ommission o- ,hana) 2%!2. Fission) (ision and =unctions
htt#5OOwww.ec.go..ghO
,hana +lectoral 4ommission) 2%!2. Structure o- the +lectoral 4ommission
htt#5OOwww.ec.go..ghO
+l<lit) G. and A. Reynolds) 2%%2. 7he Im#act o- +lection Administration on the Kegitimacy o- +merging
/emocracies5 A New 4om#arati.e Politics Research Agenda. 4ommonwealth and 4om#arati.e Politics) 4% "2$)
##. *? N !!&.
+l<lit) G. and P. S.ensson. !&&7. 3hatFa<es +lections=ree and =airH Gournal o- /emocracy) * "$) ##. 2-4?.
Ginadu) A.K. !&&7. Fatters Arising5 A-rican +lections and the Problem o- +lectoral Administration. A-rican
Gournal o- Political Science) 2 "!$) ##. ! N !!.
Kocal ,o.ernment Act) !&&"Act 4?2$
Fo9a--ar) S. > A. Schedler) 2%%2.7he 4om#arati.e Study o- +lectoral ,o.ernance N Introduction) International
Political Science Re.iew) 2 "!$) ##. 5-27.
Political Parties Kaw) 2%%7 "Act 574$
Public > Political Party o--ice holder law) !&&2 "PN/4 Kaw) 2*%$
Ra<ner) K and S.asand) K. 2%%. Cncertaintyas a Strategy5 +lectoral Processes in Pambia !&&!-2%%!. 3or<ing
Pa#er 2%%5 ! 4hr. Fichelson Institute /e.elo#ment Studies and 0uman Rights) Norway. A.ailable at
www.cmi.noO#ublicO#ublic.htm.
CN) /eclaration on the Right and Res#onsibility o- Indi.iduals) ,rou#s and 'rgans o- Society to Promote and
Protect Cni.ersally Recogni9ed 0uman Rights and =undamental =reedoms $% &eneral "ssembly 'es. ()*+,,
-. /arch +0001) CN /oc. AOR+SO5O!44
Cnited Nations ,lobal issues at un.org
Cnited Nations) Cni.ersal /eclaration o- 0uman Rights) CN ,eneral Assembly Res. 2!7 A "III$ "!%
/ecember !&4*$
CN/P) 0uman /e.elo#ment Re#ort) /ee#ening /emocracy in a =ragmented 3orld. New Ior<O '2-ord5
'2-ord Cni.ersity Press) 2%%2) a.ailable at htt#5OOhdr.und#.orgOenOmediaOhdrQ2%%2QenQ o.er.iew.#d- "consulted
on 5 Guly 2%%*$.
7he !&&2 4onstitution o- the Re#ublic o- ,hana

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