Change procedure for appointing new EC Chairman — PPP
The Progressive People’s Party has expressed concerns over the procedure for the appointment of a new Chairman for the Electoral Commission (EC).
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Dr Kwadwo 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.
The President, in consultation with the Council of State, is to appoint a new chairman of the Electoral Commission upon Afari-Gyan’s retirement.
President’s nominee
The General Secretary of the PPP, Kofi Asamoah Siaw, who argued that the current procedure was 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 the President’s nominee.”
He also added that if the recommendation of the Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC) was followed, the new EC would 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."
Fair elections
Meanwhile, the PPP has stated that the new EC Chair, who is yet to be appointed, must not be politically biased.
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“The person has to be someone who believes in free and fair elections," Mr Siaw said.
He also argued that the new EC Chair should be one who would introduce better technologies to the electoral system in the country.
“The person has to be someone who believes in free and fair elections and who is also technology savvy,” Mr Siaw added.