Author: Beyonce Diamond Kpogli
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) is demanding the immediate resignation of Dr. Peter Appiahene and Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani as members of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.
The two, who were recently appointed by President Akufo-Addo to the electoral management body, have been described by the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) as known affiliates of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
CODEO at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, April 5, said these appointments have the tendency to make the EC look partisan and untrust; affecting its credibility in future elections.
Addressing the press on behalf of CODEO, Rev. Dr Fred Deegbe suggested that the two newly appointed EC members resign immediately.
“We are painfully aware that voluntary and constitutionally grounded revocation of this unfortunate and democratically problematic EC appointment by the President is extremely unlikely.
However nothing stops the affected appointees namely Dr Peter Appiahene and Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani from voluntarily and honourably resigning from membership of the EC,” he said.
According to him, “This will be in the supreme interest of our country’s continual democratic progress, election peace and credibility and indeed, the overall national interest.”
He added “both Dr Appiahene and Madam Salima Ahmed Tijani have to meet the generic benchmark qualification stipulated under Article 44(1) (that is, the same as qualification one must satisfy to be a Member of Parliament ), we believe strongly that, having regard to the independent and non-partisan nature of our Electoral Commission and it’s mandate, the spirit of the constitution demands far more in the way of one’s suitability to be a member of the EC. We accordingly call on Dr Peter Appiahene and Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani to do the honourable thing and resign.”
In conclusion, he said CODEO believe strongly the resignation of the two members is a necessary step in efforts to rebuild trust and confidence in the EC and thereby guarantee the peace of our elections and the effectiveness of the Commission of its extremely important national mandate.
