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As part of efforts of enhancing the integrity of the electoral process, the Electoral Commission, EC, is considering the use of professors and lecturers as returning officers in the upcoming 2016 elections.
Addressing Members of Parliament Thursday about preparation towards the elections, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei said the professors would be positioned at coalition centres, whilst national service personnel and selected civil servants would be for the polling stations.
Nigeria's 2015 elections was hailed as one of the credible, free and fair elections, due to the use of professors in the process.
However, Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Ransford Gyampoh has told Accra-based Joy FM, that the EC should go beyond professors and lecturers, and rather use persons who are “committed and prepared to do the work”.
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He believed the professors would not have time for such role considering their busy schedules.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Osei has told Parliament that the 2016 general elections will not go beyond November 30, 2016, even if there is a run-off.
This follows her outfit's move to have the date for presidential and parliamentary elections moved from the December 7 to November 7.
She said such a situation will allow for more time between elections and inauguration on 7th January, 2016.