Change procedure for appointing new EC Chairman – PPP

Politics of Saturday, 10 January 2015, Source - Ghana Web

The Progressive People’s Party has expressed concerns over the procedure for the appointment of a new Chair for the Electoral Commission (EC).

Dr. Afari-Gyan was appointed in 1992 and has since presided over six national elections with his last ending at the Supreme Court.

He retires this year, hence the need for the appointment of a new Electoral Commissioner nominated and endorsed by two-third of members of parliament.

However, the President in consultation with the Council of State is to appoint a new chairman of the Electoral Commission upon Afari-Gyan’s retirement.

The General Secretary of the PPP, Kofi Asamoah Siaw, who argued that the current procedure is not a best alternative said, “it’s not good enough because whoever occupies the post even though he is supposed to work as an independent person, will be seen as president nominee”.

He also added that if the recommendation of the CRIC was followed, the new EC will be welcomed by all parties. 'We would have wished that process would have ended so that we will have someone who will be welcomed by all the political parties."

Meanwhile, the PPP has stated that the new EC Chair, who is yet to be appointed, must not be politically biased. Kofi Asamoah Siaw said, “the person has to be someone who believes in free and fair elections."

He also argued that the new EC Chair should be one who will introduce better technologies to the electoral system in the country. He said, “the person has to be someone who believes in free and fair elections and who is also a technology savvy”.