Four of Saskatchewan's political parties are asking why the Saskatchewan Party government has rejected a candidate for chief electoral officer who was recommended by a bipartisan committee of the legislature.

Earlier this year, the legislature's board of internal economy — which has NDP and Saskatchewan Party members — recommended that Dave Wilkie, the acting chief electoral officer, get the job on a permanent basis.

However, the board's recommendation was later rejected by the Saskatchewan Party caucus.

No one has yet been appointed to the job.

In the legislature Monday, NDP MLA Frank Quennell asked Justice Minister Don Morgan why the Saskatchewan Party changed its mind. Quennell suggested it might be because an unnamed government MLA is being investigated by Wilkie about spending.

Morgan said he wasn't aware of anyone being investigated by the acting chief electoral officer. He also said it's important that whoever is hired have the confidence of as many members of the house as possible.

The chief electoral officer is an important position, and the person who is hired will deal with two elections, a redistribution of the electoral map and a review of the provincial Election Act, Morgan said.

"There has not been any political interference … nor will there be any public interference," Morgan said.

However, the Opposition New Democrats and three other parties that do not have seats in the legislature — the Progressive Conservatives, the Green Party and the Liberals — are calling for a public inquiry into the matter.

Jean Ouellet, the last person to hold the post on a permanent basis, resigned in October 2008 over what were called "personnel issues."