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South Dayi legislator, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has sued Dr. Peter Appiahene, an Electoral Commission (EC) member, alleging his affiliation with the New Patriotic Party (NPP). According to Mr. Dafeamekpor’s legal claim, it is unconstitutional for an individual associated with a registered political party in Ghana to be appointed to the EC board.
In the writ, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislator seeks several orders from the Supreme Court:
- He requests the President revoke Dr. Appiahene’s appointment to the EC.
- Mr. Dafeamekpor seeks an interlocutory injunction to prevent Dr. Appiahene from acting as a member of the EC until the lawsuit is resolved.
- He seeks a perpetual injunction to restrain the President from appointing Dr. Appiahene or anyone affiliated with a political party to the EC board.
The controversy surrounding Dr. Appiahene’s appointment emerged in March when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo swore in three new members to the electoral management board, including Dr. Appiahene. Various civil society organizations, such as the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), the Star-Ghana Foundation, and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), held a press conference urging Dr. Appiahene to resign, asserting his appointment was unconstitutional.
Notably, seasoned journalist Kwesi Pratt Junior criticized President Akufo-Addo for making such an appointment. Mr. Pratt argued such appointments compromised the EC’s neutrality and the democratic nature of the country.
During an appearance on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana program, hosted by Dr. Randy Abbey on April 12, 2023, Mr. Pratt expressed his concerns about the appointment, emphasizing that it further eroded public confidence in the EC, which was already low at 10%. He questioned the rationale behind appointing someone like Dr. Peter Appiahene to the electoral commission. He highlighted the potential consequences if similar appointments were made in the past under different administrations.
Mr. Pratt expressed his disbelief at the appointment of Dr. Appiahene, a card-carrying political party member, to the electoral commission. He opined that in any civilized country striving to practice democracy, such an appointment would be inconceivable. He also alluded to the potential risks and implications for the peaceful transfer of power, referring to the threats of not handing over under any circumstance.
In summary, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has taken legal action against Dr. Peter Appiahene, alleging his affiliation with the NPP and arguing that it violates the constitution for him to serve on the EC board. The controversy surrounding the appointment has led to criticism from various civil society organizations and seasoned journalist Kwesi Pratt Junior, who raised concerns about the appointment’s impact on the neutrality and public confidence in the EC.
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Source: Omanghana.com
