ADVERTISEMENT

Mike Oquaye opposes shortlist for EC boss

He is convinced that the people behind pushing this shortlist into the public, have a hidden agenda for which he has fears for the country.

Former second deputy speaker of Ghana's Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye

Former second deputy speaker of Ghana's Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye,has challenged the basis for the names shortlisted as possible replacement for the outgoing chairman of the electoral commission (EC).

The current deputy EC commissioners: Georgina Opoku Amankwaa and Amadu Sule, two Court of Appeal Judges: Justice Senyo Dzamefe and Justice Kofi Gyan, Charlotte Osei as chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Dr. Emmanuel of IDEC were in the news as having been shortlisted as possible replacement for Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan.

"Looking at the very recent experience from Nigeria next door, and our own experience, any shortlist that does not include respected names in the academia, like thw current crop of Vice Chancellors, makes me nervous. In any event, I think it is way too premature to be talking about a shortlist now. To me, a shortlist defeats the whole debate about broad consultation before the appointment", the chairman of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee said.

He added, "Someone out there is playing smart with us and deliberately narrowing our attention and point of reference to this shortlist they have created and pushing down our throat. Whose list is it? If it is from the Council of State, they should tell us. If they have already made up their minds, they should be kind enough to let us know so we can advise ourselves accordingly".

ADVERTISEMENT

Prof. Mike Oquaye questioned the criteria for the shortlist and emphasized the need for "broader and wider consultation" in order to determine an undisputable standard for selecting the new electoral commissioner.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT