The Electoral Commission (EC) nominations of Dr. Peter Appiahene and Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani were officially supported by a letter from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to the Council of State requesting that it rethink its recommendation.
It said that this was due to their membership in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), which may have an impact on the public's faith in the commission.
The NDC claimed to be aware of the Council of State's status as "functus officio" in the appointment process once Dr. Appiahene and Hajia Salima had been sworn in as commission members.
The letter was dated April 17, 2023, and stated, "We are nonetheless of the opinion that in light of the evidence that we have presented, it is possible for the council to re-consider its advice to the president in order to erase any perception that the council has been complicit in the appointment of these patently partisan individuals to the EC and to safeguard the integrity of the council as far as its role in the structure of our governance architecture."
Copies
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the National Peace Council Chairman, the European Commission Chairperson, the European Union Observer Team, the African Union Observer Team, the Chairman of the Christian Council, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, and the US Ambassador to Ghana attended.
The President officially appointed Hajia Tijani, Dr. Appiahene, and Rev. Akua Ofori Boateng to the EC board on March 20, 2023.
However, due to their alleged ties to the ruling party, two civil society groups (CSOs), notably the Coalition for Democratic Election Observers, asked Hajia Tijani and Dr. Appiahene to retire honorably.
Rejection
The NDC said that it had noticed and listened to the outcry of opposition and condemnation that the nomination of Dr. Appiahene and Hajia Tijani to the EC had elicited from several supporters of the nation's democracy.
It said that in accordance with Article 70(2) of the 1992 Constitution, the President must act on the counsel of the Council of State when selecting individuals for the EC.
The Chairman, Deputy Chairmen, and other members of the Electoral Commission shall be appointed by the President, acting on the recommendation of the Council of State.
Rejection
The NDC said that it had noticed and listened to the outcry of opposition and condemnation that the nomination of Dr. Appiahene and Hajia Tijani to the EC had elicited from several supporters of the nation's democracy.
It said that in accordance with Article 70(2) of the 1992 Constitution, the President must act on the counsel of the Council of State when selecting individuals for the EC.
The Chairman, Deputy Chairmen, and other members of the Electoral Commission shall be appointed by the President, acting on the recommendation of the Council of State.
In the Bono Region, he is a well-known NPP radio and television broadcaster.
"To back up these claims, we have eight pen drives with proof of Dr. Appiahene's support for the NPP that was recorded on audio and video to support our case.
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