CHRAJ dismisses EC’s appeal, clears path for full probe into IMANI’s procurement allegations

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has dismissed a jurisdictional challenge filed by the Electoral Commission (EC), paving the way for a full investigation into alleged procurement and disposal irregularities involving the Commission’s biometric election equipment.

The EC had argued that CHRAJ lacked constitutional authority to investigate matters relating to its procurement and asset management decisions, seeking to have IMANI Africa’s 2024 petition struck out.

However, CHRAJ’s recent ruling held that it has a constitutional mandate under Article 218 of the 1992 Constitution to promote accountability, transparency, and administrative justice across all public institutions, including independent constitutional bodies.

The Commission therefore ruled that the petition was properly grounded, and that its inquiry would proceed to the substantive stage.

The petition filed by IMANI Africa in May 2024 accuses the EC of reckless financial conduct and abuse of discretion in the management, procurement, and disposal of biometric voter registration systems and related technology valued in the tens of millions of dollars.

The think tank alleges that the EC’s actions were tainted by maladministration, conflict of interest, and financial loss, asserting that the procurement and retirement of the systems “were highly flawed and opaque.”

IMANI maintains that despite multiple requests for engagement, the EC failed to provide accountability or transparency in its handling of the high-value electoral assets, leaving no choice but to seek CHRAJ’s intervention.

Describing CHRAJ’s ruling as a “landmark affirmation of oversight and integrity in public administration,” IMANI said it is committed to pursuing the case until justice and administrative propriety are fully upheld.

Following the ruling, CHRAJ has directed the Electoral Commission to cooperate fully with investigators as the probe moves from procedural litigation to substantive scrutiny.

The inquiry will now examine the procurement processes, asset disposal practices, and financial accountability mechanisms surrounding the EC’s biometric systems — a matter that could set a major precedent for oversight of independent state institutions in Ghana.