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The search for who becomes the new Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) has begun in earnest, With Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan set to reach his retiring age of 70 in June, civil society organisations and political parties have already started the debate within the public space as to who takes over from him.

Article 70(2) of the 1992 Constitution maintains: “The President shall, acting on the advice of the Council of State, appoint the Chairman, Deputy Chairmen and other members of the Electoral Commission.”

However, many names have popped up as heir to Dr. Afari Gyan, the Independent Presidential candidate for the 2012 elections, Mr. Jacob Osei Yeboah (aka JOY 2012) believes the Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr Emmanuel Akwetey is the right person to be the next EC boss.

Speaking to Peacefmonline.com, he described Dr. Akwetey as a “well distinguished person who with experience can run matters at the commission”

“It’s my wish that the president select him. For now he is the right person. 2016 is election of Armageddon and Ghanaians must prepare in advance,” he added. 

Having served in his position for over two decades, Dr. Afari-Gyan helped the EC to prepare a new Constitutional Instrument (CI) which had been laid before Parliament before the conduct of the botched district-level elections which otherwise would have been conducted on Tuesday, March 3, 2015.

As the current Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, will proceed on his statutory retirement in June.