Back to News

Attorney General's Office Drafts Amendment Bill to Change Ghana's Election Date

Posted on Nov. 14 2024

Attorney General's Office Drafts Amendment Bill to Change Ghana's Election Date

Report by Solace Asafo

In a significant move aimed at accommodating religious observances and ensuring inclusive participation in the democratic process, the Attorney General's office in Ghana has recently drafted an amendment bill to change the country's election date from December 7 to a Tuesday in December, starting in 2028.
This decision comes after years of advocacy by the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Ghana, which has long sought to shift the election date to avoid conflicts with their Sabbath observance.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ghana has been at the forefront of efforts to change the election date, citing the importance of the Sabbath, which is observed from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. For Adventists, the Sabbath is a sacred day dedicated to worship, rest, and communion with God, and engaging in non-religious activities, including voting, is discouraged.
In a statement released in July 2024, the SDA Church reiterated its stance on the sanctity of the Sabbath and its implications for civic responsibilities. The Church emphasized that while it encourages its members to participate in the democratic process, it also respects their religious convictions, which preclude them from voting on Saturdays.
The SDA Church's advocacy for an election date change is not new. The Church has consistently engaged with various stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Attorney General's office, to push for a more inclusive election date. In January 2024, the Church formally petitioned the Attorney General to sponsor a bill to amend the election date, proposing the first or second Tuesday of November as an alternative.
The newly drafted amendment bill by the Attorney General's office seeks to address the concerns raised by the SDA Church and other stakeholders. The bill proposes moving the election date to a Tuesday in December, starting in 2028. This change aims to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, can participate fully in the electoral process without compromising their religious practices.
In response to the amendment bill, the SDA Church sent a memo to the Attorney General, urging that the amendment should also consider the efforts by civil society and state actors in 2016 to extend the transition period. This historical context highlights the ongoing dialogue and efforts to create a more inclusive and efficient electoral process.
The bill's drafting follows positive engagements between the SDA Church and the Electoral Commission. In June 2023, the Church met with the EC to discuss the proposed date change, and the meeting yielded productive outcomes. The EC expressed its willingness to consider the proposal, recognizing the need to accommodate the religious observances of all citizens.
The drafting of the amendment bill to change Ghana's election date marks a significant milestone in the country's democratic journey. It reflects a growing recognition of the need to accommodate religious diversity and ensure inclusive participation in the electoral process. As the bill moves through the legislative process, it will be crucial for all stakeholders to engage constructively to address any challenges and ensure that the new election date serves the best interests of all Ghanaians.