The Council of State has been urged to reconsider its recommendation about the appointment of Dr. Peter Appiahene and Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani to the Electoral Commission (EC) by the leadership of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Despite the objections voiced by numerous stakeholders in Ghana's democracy, President Akufo-Addo nevertheless swore in these two.

Article 70(2) of the 1992 Constitution dictates that such appointments be made in consultation with the Council and the NDC believes the Council has a role to play to get the President reverse the appointments.

In its petition dated Monday, April 17, the NDC argued that these appointments if not reversed will hamper the public confidence in the EC.

“Prior to his appointment to the Electoral Commission, Dr Peter Appiahene had played various roles for the New Patriotic Party in the Bono Region. Indeed, he touts himself in his political profile and personal credentials as a ‘strong NPP man with a lot of experience in election issues in Ghana.’”

“It is our considered view that the appointment of a personality with such overwhelmingly partisan credentials into the Electoral Commission will hamper public confidence in the constitutionally independent body and undermine the conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections in Ghana.”

“On the appointment of Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani, our background search reveals that she has well-known New Patriotic Party leanings. Aside from the fact that Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani is herself an activist of the ruling New Patriotic Party, she is married to one Sheikh T.B. Damba, a former Second National Vice Chairman of the NPP, and Ghana’s immediate past ambassador to Saudi Arabia, from 2017 to 2021,” excerpts of the petition said.

The party stated among his political positions in the NPP as follows:• Member of the 2022 Bono Regional Election Committee of the NPP;• Bono Regional IT Director for Election 2020 for the NPP;• Bono Regional D-Day Coordinator for Election 2020 for the NPP;• Member of the National Research and Data Analysis Team for Election 2020 for the NPP;• Regional Collation Officer for NPP Internal Collation for Election 2020;• Member of the Bono Regional Communication Team of the NPP.