Ghana’s opposition party on Friday challenged President, John Mahama, for appointing Mrs Charlotte Osei, as the new Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP), some civil society organisations and lawyers, in Accra have accused the president of not consulting broadly before the appointment.

Mahama on Thursday confirmed the appointment of 42 year-old Osei as the new chairperson of the Electoral EC. Osei, who was the chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education, becomes the first woman to hold the position since independence in 1957.

The opposition said Mahama’s action was unconstitutional and should be reverted.

However, other people have argued that the power to appoint the EC boss rested solely with the president, in consultation with the Council of State, as stated in the constitution.

A report said a journalist, Richard Sky, has gone to the Supreme Court to challenge the right of the president to appoint the head of the EC.

A statement released by the Presidency said the appointment was in accordance with the 1992 Constitution.

Osei replaced Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan who has retired after almost 20 years as head of the electoral umpire.

Osei, a lawyer with considerable experience in public service management, institutional reform, also has expertise in banking, insurance and project financing.