The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has overruled a legal challenge from Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), paving the way for a probe into the management of the country’s biometric voter systems.
The EC had attempted to block a petition alleging mismanagement, financial waste, and procurement irregularities in the replacement and disposal of Biometric Voter Management System (BVMS) equipment. CHRAJ, however, dismissed the objection in a ruling signed by Commissioner Joseph Whittal on October 28, 2025, affirming its authority to examine such complaints.
CHRAJ emphasised that its constitutional role allows it to investigate misuse of public resources, maladministration, conflicts of interest, and corruption, even when potential criminal elements are involved. The commission noted that while it cannot prosecute offenders, it can forward any evidence of wrongdoing to the Attorney-General, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, or the Auditor-General.
The complaint, lodged by think tank IMANI, claims that the EC prematurely replaced existing biometric voter systems and disposed of older equipment, resulting in avoidable costs to the state. The Electoral Commission argued that CHRAJ lacked jurisdiction, insisting that allegations of financial loss or misconduct should be handled by other oversight bodies.
CHRAJ rejected these claims, clarifying that the EC’s independence does not exempt it from scrutiny. The commission has now directed the EC to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
The inquiry will examine several key areas, including how the new BVMS contract was awarded, the process of evaluating and selecting vendors, the methods used to dispose of old biometric devices, and the protection of sensitive voter data during the disposal process.
The decision marks a significant development in holding state institutions accountable and reinforces CHRAJ’s oversight powers over public sector operations, including constitutionally independent bodies.
