The ECOWAS Parliament has strict rules governing the replacement of its members, making it illegal for Member States to arbitrarily recall or substitute their representatives before the end of their term, except under limited circumstances provided by law.

The rules are contained in the Supplementary Act A/SA.1/12/16, adopted in December 2016, which enhanced the powers of the regional legislature and secured the independence of its members.

According to Article 18 (2) of the Act, Members of the ECOWAS Parliament are elected for a four-year mandate, which lasts until the end of the legislature.

Their tenure is protected from national political interference, party reshuffles, or changes in government once they are sworn in.