NDC Dismisses Allegations That President Mahama Is Being Influenced By Partisan Considerations In Appointing A New EC Chairman

The NDC has dismissed allegations that the President is in clandestine talks to appoint an NDC stooge as the new Chairman of the Electoral Commission. 

National Organiser of the NDC, Kofi Adams told Radio Ghana that the group making the allegation is doing so with support of the opposition NPP. 

According to Mr Adams, the constitution gives the President the sole prerogative to appoint the EC boss on the advise of the council of state and not any other body or individual. 

Meanwhile, a lawyer and law lecturer at the Faculty of law, Central University College, Yaw Oppong has been explaining to Radio Ghana the constitutional processes for the appointment of the chairman and members of the electoral commission. 

Commenting on the expected replacement of the current EC Boss, Kwadwo Afari Gyan when his tenure expires, Lawyer Oppong says the constitution mandates the President to do so on the advise of the council of state. 

Commenting on calls for the president to have wider consultations before appointing the new EC Boss, Lawyer Oppong said such calls are justified. 

He says because of the important nature of elections there is the need for an undoubted confidence in the chairman who is an embodiment of the whole commission and the electoral process.


In a related development, a Political Science Lecturer, Dr Aggrey Darko says election in democracy is important, as it ensures consent and expression of human rights. 

He has therefore emphasised that a credible person be appointed to head the Electoral Commission. 

The appointment process should therefore not be influenced by any other authority than the constitution. 

GBC