By MUHAMMED S. BAH (MS)
Joseph Colley, fondly called ‘Joe’, has been appointed by President Adama Barrow as the new Vice Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Joe’s appointment came after 20 years of service at the IEC, starting as a junior officer and rising through the ranks of his last appointment as the Director of Training and communication of the IEC, and now Vice Chairman.
He was appointed by the President Barrow in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission as a commission member and vice chairman of the IEC.
Mr. Colley replaced Malleh Sallah, a Gambian hotelier, who resigned from the commission in June last year.
“Yes, I can confirm my appointment,” Mr. Colley told this reporter in a telephone conversation.
Colley’s appointment followed the rescinding of the appointment of Oremi Joiner, a retired banker. Joiner’s disqualification came in the wake of a national outcry by political parties and civil society advocates both in and outside the country, that his membership with the National People’s Party (NPP) rendered his appointment illegal and unconstitutional.
In accordance with Section 42 subsection 3, the members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission and the Public Service Commission.
Foroyaa will make a follow up to have an interview with the Vice Chairman about his new appointment.
