According to Pratt, no civilized nation in the world makes such nominations since they endanger the EC’s impartiality and the nation’s democratic foundation.
In order to effectively supervise the holding of free and fair elections, he continued, the electoral commission must maintain its objectivity and independence from any political allegiances.
On April 12, 2023, he bemoaned, “From a low of 49%, we have now reached 10% public confidence in the EC,” in an interview with Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana.
“We should be worried…from 49% to 10% public confidence in the EC and this 10% public confidence in the EC was recorded before the appointment of Appiahene and co…everybody who is honest and sincere will have a problem with this appointment.
“…I am frightened, I’m really frightened. At a time when public confidence in the EC has dropped to 10%, this is the appointment we have made.
“This guy (Dr. Peter Appiahene) I don’t see how in any civilized country which is trying to practice democracy in any part of the world, a man like this will be appointed to the electoral commission, I don’t see how.
“But this one, we have gone a step further, …a card-bearing professor, swearing in as a member of the electoral commission. So, it gives more meaning to the threats of not handing over under any circumstance.
“Just imagine that Koku Anyidohu was appointed under former president Mills as an electoral commission member, or just imagine that under John Mahama, Allotey Jacobs was appointed unto the EC, just imagine. What do you think would have happened? How can we do this?” he lamented.
Dr. Peter Appiahene’s appointment to the panel, according to Kwesi Pratt, may result in conflicts of interest and jeopardize the integrity of the voting process.
Additionally, he contended that such appointments are blatantly against democratic ideals and risk undermining the validity of election results.
“If there is an election dispute and this gentleman is sitting on the electoral commission, how are we going to resolve it?
“So, when you listen to this gentleman who has just been appointed unto the electoral commission and you get a leading Member of the government, in fact, a cabinet minister says that we would never hand over power to the NDC, what conclusion comes to mind after listening to this gentleman?”
The seasoned journalist’s comments come amid mounting controversies surrounding Dr. Peter Appiahene’s appointment to the election commission as a supporter of the NPP.
The Electoral Commission (EC) recently welcomed three new members, who were sworn in by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The trio consists of the Reverend Akua Ofori Boateng, Madam Salima Ahmed Tijani, and Dr. Peter Appiahene.
On March 20, 2023, they were officially sworn in during a brief ceremony at Jubilee House.
However, the selections have received some criticism from some groups in the public, with opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) members charging President Akufo-Addo with stuffing the commission with NPP members.
The seasoned journalist’s comments come amid mounting controversies surrounding Dr. Peter Appiahene’s appointment to the election commission as a supporter of the NPP.
The Electoral Commission (EC) recently welcomed three new members, who were sworn in by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The trio consists of the Reverend Akua Ofori Boateng, Madam Salima Ahmed Tijani, and Dr. Peter Appiahene.
On March 20, 2023, they were officially sworn in during a brief ceremony at Jubilee House.
