The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has called on the Constitutional Council to urgently recommend a suitable individual to fill the vacant position of commissioner in the Right to Information (RTI) Commission.
PAFFREL pointed out that the position has remained unfilled for over three months following the resignation of its Chairman.
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi, issuing a statement, stressed that the delay in appointing a replacement has significantly hampered the effective functioning of the Commission, which plays a vital role in upholding transparency and accountability in governance.
The organization highlighted that the RTI Act, passed in 2016 after decades of public advocacy, was a landmark victory for civil society and a powerful tool for citizens to combat corruption and demand government accountability. “It has cultivated a new culture of transparency and empowered citizens and organizations alike,” PAFFREL noted.
The RTI Commission consists of five members, appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Council. While the Council is responsible for nominating a suitable candidate to fill the commissioner vacancy, the President is tasked with appointing one among the current members as the new Chairperson.
PAFFREL urged that the nominee for the vacant post be a person of proven integrity, free from past allegations, and capable of fulfilling the Commission’s mandate. It also appealed to the President to promptly appoint a Chairperson from among the four existing members or the new appointee once nominated.
The statement concluded by emphasizing the importance of equipping the fully constituted Commission with adequate staff and resources to carry out its duties effectively. (Newswire)
