Dafeamekpor Drags Electoral Commission to Supreme Court over New Appointments
The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamkepor, has filed a suit against Ghana’s Electoral Commission and the Attorney General of the Republic of Ghana. The suit challenges the appointment of two new members, Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani and Dr Peter Appiahene, to the commission’s board by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The appointment of the two board members has been met with criticism by a section of the public and some civil society organizations. They have called on the president to revoke the appointments due to their affiliation with the governing New Patriotic Party.
In his writ, Mr. Dafeamkepor is seeking the revocation of the appointment and an order that restrains the two board members from holding themselves out as such. He is also seeking a declaration that a person is not qualified to be a member of the Electoral Commission if that person is a known sympathizer, member or openly affiliates or identifies with a registered political party in Ghana.
Additionally, Mr. Dafeamkepor is seeking a declaration that a person who is a known sympathizer, member, or who openly affiliates or identifies with a registered political party will be biased or prejudiced in their constitutional duties as a member of the Electoral Commission. He is also seeking a declaration that a person must be neutral, impartial, fair-minded, and non-partisan to qualify as a member of the commission.
Furthermore, the suit is requesting that the court declare that the appointment of the two defendants is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of Ghana and, therefore, null and void. Mr. Dafeamkepor is seeking an order revoking the appointment of the defendants by the President of the Republic of Ghana as members of the Electoral Commission.
For the most part, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has also written to the Council of State to reconsider its advice to the President on the appointment of the two new board members. They argue that it further dents the already soiled reputation of the electoral management body.
The controversy surrounding the appointment of the two new members has highlighted the need for the Electoral Commission to maintain its neutrality and impartiality in its duties as the guardian of Ghana’s electoral processes.
Source: Citi NewsRoom