Parliament Approves New Electoral Reforms

Accra, Ghana — February 2025

Ghana’s Parliament has approved a wide-ranging set of electoral and constitutional reforms designed to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions, improve transparency, and increase citizen participation in governance.

The decision follows months of consultation between lawmakers, civil society organizations, and political parties. The reforms are part of an initiative spearheaded by the Constitutional Review Committee, inaugurated earlier this year by President John Dramani Mahama.

The approved reforms include:

• Digital Voter Registration: Citizens will now be able to register through a new biometric and online system, cutting down long queues and duplicate entries.

• Real-Time Results Transmission: Election results will be transmitted digitally from polling stations to a central server, reducing delays and minimizing the risk of manipulation.

• Judicial Independence Safeguards: Clearer rules have been established to protect judges handling electoral disputes, ensuring cases are resolved fairly and within 30 days.

• Decentralization Measures: Local governments are being given more autonomy in elections and decision-making, aimed at bringing democracy closer to citizens.

• Media Freedom Bill: A bill has been tabled alongside the reforms to protect journalists covering elections from harassment or intimidation.

• Majority Leader in Parliament said the reforms mark “a bold step toward safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s electoral system.”

• The Opposition Party welcomed aspects of the reforms but warned that “proper implementation and transparency will be the real test.”

• Civil Society Groups praised the inclusion of digital systems but urged government to ensure rural communities are not left behind due to internet connectivity challenges.

This is not Ghana’s first attempt at electoral reform. In 2010, a large-scale Constitutional Review Commission presented recommendations after nationwide consultations, but most of those proposals were shelved due to political disagreements and constitutional hurdles.

This time, however, Parliament’s overwhelming support—combined with the ruling party’s strong majority—makes it more likely that the reforms will move beyond paperwork into real-world practice.

The Electoral Commission of Ghana will begin piloting the new digital voter registration system in select regions before nationwide rollout. The Ministry of Local Government is expected to work on decentralization frameworks, while Parliament will revisit the Media Freedom Bill in the coming months.

According to analysts, the success of these reforms will depend largely on implementation, funding, and continued political will.

The passage of these reforms signals a significant milestone in Ghana’s democratic journey. While challenges remain, especially in bridging technology gaps and ensuring inclusivity, the reforms offer hope for freer, fairer, and more transparent elections in the years ahead.