Politics of Thursday, 26 July 2012

Source: radioxyzonline

Constitution gives no time for selection of Veep - Amaliba

A member of the NDC legal team Abraham Amaliba has described as erroneous the perception that the constitution compels the President to nominate a vice presidential candidate as soon as he is sworn in upon the demise of an elected president.

Concerns about when and who becomes Vice President to President John Mahama has been rife in the media after the death of President Mills on Tuesday.

But speaking to XYZ NEWS Lawyer Amaliba said the constitution does not put a time limit to when a vice president should be selected by the President.

“I think that those who are saying that the President should have named his vice by now have gotten it all wrong. That provision simply says that upon assumption of office the President shall name somebody to occupy the position of the Vice President, it did not provide for any time limit” Lawyer Amaliba said.

He however added that he will be happy to see a female candidate selected as vice president to partner President Mahama.

“We should look for a person who can also partner the President to continue with the campaign and must be somebody who must be appealing to all.

“I am highly in favour of gender balance this time but won’t give a name”.**