Ghana many soon reconfigure its electoral system after the government approved proposals for the extension of the term in office of a sitting president from four to five years, APA learnt on Friday.
Since democracy returned to Ghana in 1992, presidents and MPs have submitted themselves to voters every four years.
The proposal, which was announced by justice minister Dominic Ayine on Thursday, also includes extending the term of parliamentarians from four to five years and lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35.
Attorney General and Justice Minister Ayine postulated that a longer term would allow more time for governments to meet their electoral promises given that the first months are often hijacked by transition activities which provide unavoidable distractions for incoming officials.
He also observed that the situation is not helped by election campaigns which usually dominate final years before elections.
Ghana usually goes to the polls in the first week of December in election years but all that is set to change.
There was also a proposal for holding presidential elections in the first week of November instead of December to allow more grace period between heading to the polls and inaugurating the winners on January 7.
This proposal has been accepted by the government
To cement these proposed changes into law, a committee will be tasked with drafting two constitutional amendment bills by October this year.
A national referendum will be held next year over the proposed extension of presidential terms in office and that at least 75 percent of voters should vote in favour of it before it can receive a legislative stamp of approval.
WN/as/APA