Rockson Dafeamekpor Sues Dr. Peter Appiahene and Electoral Commission Over Alleged Political Bias

Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Else K. Dafeamekpor, has filed a lawsuit against Dr. Peter Appiahene and the Electoral Commission (EC), arguing that Dr. Appiahene’s appointment to the Commission is unconstitutional due to his alleged political exposure. The suit, which also names the Attorney General as a defendant, challenges the legitimacy of Dr. Appiahene’s position as a member of the Electoral Commission.

According to the court documents, Dafeamekpor is seeking a declaration that, upon a true and proper interpretation of Articles 23, 44(1), 45, 46, 284, and 296 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, 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.

The plaintiff further seeks a declaration that a person who is a known sympathizer or member of a registered political party, or who openly affiliates or identifies with one, will be biased or prejudiced in the performance of their constitutional duties as a member of the Electoral Commission. This, according to the suit, undermines the independence and impartiality required of the Commission.

The case raises significant constitutional questions about the neutrality of the Electoral Commission, which is mandated to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections in Ghana. The outcome of the suit could have far-reaching implications for the composition of the Commission and the broader electoral landscape.

Dr. Peter Appiahene was appointed to the Electoral Commission in 2023, a decision that drew criticism from various quarters at the time, with critics arguing that his political affiliations compromised the Commission’s independence. The lawsuit filed by Dafeamekpor seeks to address these concerns through the courts.

The defendants have fourteen days after service of the Plaintiff’s Statement of Case to file their Statement of Defence. As the legal battle unfolds, it is expected to spark further debate about the balance between political representation and institutional independence in Ghana’s electoral governance.