The Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) has recommended moving Ghana’s presidential election to the first week of November in every election year.
The proposal was presented in the committee’s final report to President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, December 22.
Chair of the committee, Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, said the recommendation seeks to allow a longer transition period between the election and the assumption of office by the newly elected President.
He explained, “The Committee recommends an amendment to Article 63(2)(a) to provide that the election of the President shall be held on such date in the first week of the month of November in an election year as the Electoral Commission shall, by constitutional instrument, specify.”
The committee also proposed reforms to expedite the handling of presidential election petitions. Prof. Prempeh noted that a citizen challenging the declaration of a President-elect should bring their petition to the Supreme Court within fourteen calendar days.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court should determine the petition within thirty days.
“In the interest of expeditious determination of the petition, the Electoral Commission shall furnish promptly for the scrutiny of the Supreme Court, the Petitioner and any other party in the case, all relevant or contested data in its custody pertaining to the results of the Election,” he added.
The recommendations aim to strengthen Ghana’s electoral framework, ensure timely transitions of power, and enhance public confidence in the integrity of the election process.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
