A former President of the Ghana Bar Association, Sam Okudzeto has said democracy will deepen if the president to consults widely before appointing a new Chairman for the Electoral Commission.
[contextly_sidebar id=”HNmEHSoDZ4OMi5QJIIvz4GFOZQnhJYpM”]He argued that the role of an EC chair is a sensitive one that affects the social cohesion of the country, hence the need for a wider consultation.
Some civil society groups and individuals have called for a wider consultation in the appointment of an EC chair, an argument opposed by some individuals who also argue that the constitution makes no room for broader consultations.
Speaking to Citi News Sam Okudzeto believes that wider consultations with stakeholders will be in the interest of the country.
He explained that “When we say the president makes the appointment acting on the advice of the council of state means that you must seek the advice of the council of state. It is not of the council of state that appoints, the president is the appointer.”
“But he must still seek advice of the council of state because he may come with a name and the council of state may say that, not that man we know his background or give us time to investigate him. Some of us will even go to the extent of saying that the man who is going to do a job that is going to affect everybody in the country so you must do a wide consultation with the political parties.”
“Whoever you are choosing should be acceptable to all of them because it affects them. So this concept that has cropped up into our head in the country that he is the president and he is the one authorized to appoint and therefore he can appoint without consultation, I think it’s nonsense and it’s not in the interest of democracy and it’s not in the interest of the nation.”
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By: Godwin Allotey Akweiteh/citifmonline.com/Ghana