News:
April 22, 2015
The ongoing discussions on who replaces to soon-to-retire Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, has of late sparked heated argument between some members of various political parties with some calling for a free, fair and non-partisan successor.
Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan who is due for retirement in June this year has successfully supervised five elections since his appointment in 1992 and thereby sparking heated debate between various politicians and political analysts on the qualities and competences to lookout for in appointing someone to take the said position.
However, contributing to the ongoing discussion on “AM ” show on Joy TV wendesday, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Member of Parliament for Tema East, Hon. Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover said appointment should be based on the neutrality of the person, someone brave in decision making, devoid of partisan politics and one accepted by all Ghanaians.
“The appointment should be based on someone who cuts across; I mean someone who is neutral and accepted by all. Someone who is ready to work for the State but not partisan politics” he noted.
“This issue of selection is one that is very crucial to every Ghanaian, I have already heard of some names being mentioned, the NCCE boss which is good but I must say that whoever is appointed should be accepted by all and non-partisan” he added.
He advised that irrespective of the person chosen, the NPP still needed to adequately prepare in terms of deploying right persons at various polling centers to monitor results of the upcoming elections, adding that the party can only win both presidential and parliamentary elections if figures from various polling centers are closely monitored.
He further urged the Mahama-led NDC administration to make public people shortlisted for the position to end the recent media speculations.
However, according to some media outlets three names shortlisted include Chairperson of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mrs Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei; Executive Director of Institute for Democratic Governance, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey and a deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Alhaji Amadu Sule.
Emmanuel Frimpong Mensah/Ghanamps.gov.gh