Bill on pres ACC, EC chief appointment from commissions: Habeeb

Amendments to the law aimed at granting the President the authority to appoint the heads of the Election Commission (EC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) were recommended by independent commissions, former Election Commission Vice-President Ismail Habeeb said Tuesday. 

The proposed changes involve two key bills that seek to amend the existing ACC and EC Acts, enabling the President to appoint the President and Vice-President of both institutions. Proponents of the amendments argue that this aligns with practices observed in leading democracies, such as the United States.

In a post on X, Habeeb emphasized that the paper detailing these amendments was submitted by independent institutions to the President, the Attorney General, and the Parliament Committee on Independent Institutions.

Despite the justification provided by supporters, the amendments have faced significant backlash. Critics argue that this move undermines the independence of these vital institutions, which are crucial for ensuring free and fair elections and combating corruption. They express concern that the President's ability to appoint key figures within these commissions could lead to potential conflicts of interest and diminish accountability.

In response to the criticism, the President took to X Tuesday to assert that he has never acted to influence independent institutions and reiterated his commitment to ensuring that their leaders operate with fairness, justice, and equality. This statement aims to alleviate concerns regarding the potential politicization of the EC and ACC, though skepticism remains among opposition figures.