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CODEO calls for the resignation of newly appointed EC Board members

Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) is calling for the urgent resignation of Dr. Peter Appiahene and Hajia Salima Ahmed Tijani who have been appointed by President Akufo Addo as members of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) board.

President Akufo-Addo nominated Dr. Appiahene and Ahmed Tijani to the Electoral Commission’s board in March 2023.

Due to their political ties to the ruling NPP, the two’s nomination has drawn a lot of criticism.

During a press conference on Wednesday, 5th March 2023 in Accra, a leading CODEO member, Rev. Dr. Fred Degbey, demanded that Dr. Appiahene and Hajia Salima Tijani resign to preserve all parties’ confidence in the commission.

“We are painfully aware that voluntary and constitutionally grounded revocation of these unfortunate and democratically problematic EC appointments by the President is extremely unlikely. However, nothing stops the affected appointees, namely Dr. Peter Appiahene and Hajia Salima Tijani from voluntarily and honorably resigning from the EC.

“This will be in the supreme interest of our country’s continued democratic progress, election peace and credibility, and indeed overall national interest.”

The appointments were made in accordance with Article 43 (1 and 2) of the 1992 constitution, which says that “there shall be an electoral commission, consisting of a chairman, two deputy chairs, and four other members.”

One of the institutions of government established by the constitution of 1992 is the Electoral Commission.

It was created by the Electoral Commission Act (Act 451) of 1992 with the express goal of managing the conduct of all national elections and referendums and handling any issues that are directly relevant to such elections.

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