Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye has called for a fixed term for Chair person of the Electoral Commission (EC).[ads2]
According to the former lawmaker, the process for the appointment of the elections management boss must be reviewed to avoid political pressure.
“Every Electoral Commission chair person, duly appointed by the President in accordance with the constitution, has always brought difficulties from the two competing political parties. If we know of other alternatives, can we suggest them so we can have our peace. In some countries, for example, the competing political parties themselves elect one person each to the commission members”, he said while speaking on TV3.[ads3]
“The Commission members being quite independent, not elected by president or anyone, will then choose a chairperson, so that the work of the commission is collegial and collectives, then they are satisfied.
“In some places, you will find the situation whereby the EC boss is for a fixed term, 6 years, it recently happened in Nigeria. So that after doing a particular work you go, so that in choosing the EC boss it is usually a retired Professor or a Professor about to retire, a judge who is just part of the system, and then you do that work for 6 years, and then you leave.[ads4]
“In other words, there is no end to wisdom with regards to what we have got now, nomination by the President and then ultimate approval by Parliament. Of course, if the president has Majority in Parliament, then the approval is as well as his nomination. All these I believe should be examined if we should have a peaceful political terrain, that is what I have ben saying”, he added…[ads5]
