Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt has called on political parties to stop campaigning for certain candidates to be named Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Dr Gyan, who has helped conduct elections in other African countries and has been at the helm of affairs since 1993, will reach his statutory retirement in June.
But with nearly two months to go before he retires, there appears to be simmering controversy over processes to get a replacement.
Party Chairmen of four political parties with representation in Parliament insist they will not just be passive observers to the processes leading to the appointment of a new chairman.
Whiles the Chairmen are itching to have a say in who replaces Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, some have been working seriously behind the scenes to have their favourites selected.
Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo”, Kwesi Pratt denounced the act by some parties suggesting names to the Council of State to appoint a particular person for the position.
He believed the Council of State could do a better job and select a credible person for the post if they are not unduly pressurized and given the freedom to go about their duties peacefully.
He however added that a new Electoral Commissioner “must be of proven integrity. You can’t go for somebody who once stole or is an ex-convict as the Electoral Commissioner. It is not possible. You can’t go for somebody who has committed an act of raped before…You can’t go for in somebody who doesn’t have a clean sheet. These are basic things that everybody knows.”
Source: GhanaWeb
