Justice Francis Emile Short has advised President John Mahama to broaden the consultative process before appointing a new chairman for the Electoral Commission.
According to him, the President could take a cue from the “sentiments” around the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee before deciding who should replace the current EC boss, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, whose tenure ends in June.
The various political parties in Ghana have urged the President to consult widely in order to make the right choice. They have suggested the appointment of someone with integrity and an impeccable record of achievement in public service.
Commenting on the development on Starr FM on Wednesday, the former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice said the President’s appointee should be someone who was largely seen as independent and could easily win the confidence of Ghanaians.
Although the 1992 Constitution enjoins the President to consult the Council of State before taking a decision, the process towards selecting the individual to be presented before the council is not spelt out by the constitution.
"So the President can consult the various interest groups and take all the varied suggestions and opinions on board.
“If I were the President, I would be guided by the sentiments around the recommendation of the Constitution Review Committee in making the appointment,” he stated.
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