The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suggested that Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC) must be appointed after Parliament has approved their nominations.
Currently, the appointment of the EC Chair is in accordance with the provisions of Article 70 (2) of the 1992 Constitution, which states that, “the President shall, acting on the advice of the Council of State, appoint the Chairman, Deputy Chairmen, and other members of the Electoral Commission.”
According to the NDC, this mode of appointment is susceptible to partisan influences.
The proposal forms part of the over 30 recommendations for electoral reforms announced by the NDC recently.
The party fears that without parliamentary intervention, candidates appointed may not be qualified to meet the EC’s critical requirements which are; independence, neutrality, credibility, transparency and competence. The NDC believes that these values cannot be compromised.