Gov’t Supports November 1 Presidential Elections In Constitutional Reform Proposals

The government has endorsed a proposal to move Ghana’s presidential election from December to the first week of November as part of planned constitutional reforms designed to improve the country’s electoral calendar.

Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, said the proposal was among the recommendations accepted by the government following the Constitutional Review Committee’s work.

According to him, holding the presidential election earlier would provide additional time for the Electoral Commission to complete post-election processes and facilitate a smoother transition between an outgoing and incoming administration.

Ghana currently conducts presidential and parliamentary elections on 7 December every four years, with successful candidates assuming office on 7 January of the following year.

The proposed shift to November would extend the transition period by several weeks while maintaining the constitutional inauguration date unless further amendments are introduced.

The proposal will require constitutional amendments before it can be implemented.

Dr Ayine said the recommendation forms part of a broader constitutional reform agenda intended to strengthen democratic governance and improve the effectiveness of state institutions.

He reiterated that the government’s position is not a White Paper but rather its official response to the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendations, which will inform the drafting of amendment bills.

The proposed election date change is one of several reforms backed by the government.

Others include extending the tenure of the president and Parliament to five years, lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates to 35 years, and introducing reforms affecting parliament and the judiciary.