The Electoral Commission (EC) is supposed to be the independent body responsible for all electoral processes in the country. In that sense, the composition of the commissioners should reflect the independent nature of the commission.
Quite recently, new appointees including Dr. Peter Appiahene have joined the commission. But since then, it has been revealed that Dr. Appiahene is an activist of the NPP in the Bono Region and was even widely expected to assume the position as Bono Regional Minister.
By its mandate, the Commission is expected to exhibit positive neutrality in its interaction with all political parties to ensure fairness. The EC is expected to behave in a respectful way towards the preferences and values of all political parties, giving them the chance to be equally heard and considered in its operations and also ensure cooperative stance while avoiding conflicts among the parties.
Sadly, these noble attributes of the EC are completely missing in its operations today.
The appointments of personalities like Mrs. Jean Mensah, Dr. Bossman Asare and Dr. Peter Appiahene have done a great harm to the neutral stance and integrity expected of a credible Electoral Commission. This trio, by their utterances do not fit into the neutral architecture of the Commission as it was created to be.
The stability of the nation depends to a large extent on the ability of the Commission to maintain its neutrality in the performance of its mandate.
The composition of the commissioners as it is now has effectively changed the neutrality of the Commission to that of an appendage of the NPP to protect the interest of the party and this does not augur well for the security of the Fourth Republic.
Some leading members of the NPP have come out openly to declare the intention of the party never to hand over power in the event of losing the next elections. This is a security threat for the whole nation. What is happening today is a sad reflection of the state capture mentality of the NPP since its assumption of office in January 2017.
The CEGA is hopeful that, taken into consideration the charged political atmosphere in the country ahead of the 2024 general elections, the commissioners who are tainted with the colours of the NPP and who cannot uphold the ethics of the Commission should voluntarily bow out of the Commission or the President takes the necessary steps to ensure that the Commission maintains its positive neutrality stance for the general good of the people of Ghana.
Prof. Ohene Adjei
Executive Director – 0208124706
Mr. George Yankah Communications Director – 0242161111