The Christian Council of Ghana and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference are calling for an "early and transparent" appointment of a new Electoral Commission Chairman as Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan retires in June.

In a statement issued on Thursday after an annual joint meeting, the Council and the Conference also demanded the way forward on the suspended district level elections and a roadmap toward the 2016 general elections.

“We seek to know what the plans are for the suspended District Assembly elections, as well as the roadmap for Ghana’s General Elections in 2016. We propose that the Electoral Commission should begin, in earnest, the process of engagement with all stakeholders on the way forward for these elections.

“Pertinent issues such as the Voters’ Register, Biometric verification, creation of constituencies, among others, need to be addressed now.

“Related critical issues include the needed reforms to Ghana’s electoral system as per the various recommendations and the early and transparent appointment of a new Chairman of the Electoral Commission,” the two Christian groups said in a joint statement.

They added: “The year 2016 may seem far, but it is not. Thus, we appeal to the EC to act expeditiously”.