The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has firmly rejected the appointment of Madam Emelia Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), describing the decision by President John Dramani Mahama as unacceptable and a threat to public confidence in Ghana’s electoral system.
In a statement dated October 13, 2026, and signed by National Communications Director Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the party said its attention had been drawn to the appointment and that it “rejects this appointment.”
The NPP pointed to Agbenyo’s recent role as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) governance sector spokesperson during the preparation of the party’s 2024 manifesto. It said she “spoke for the NDC as it campaigned for power,” appeared in videos on NDC campaign rally platforms, and was seen wearing NDC campaign T-shirts while openly advocating for the party.
“Less than two years on, the President has placed her among the top leadership of the institution that will conduct the 2028 general elections. We find this unacceptable,” the statement read.
The party also accused President Mahama of hypocrisy, recalling that in March 2023 he criticised the appointment of persons he described as party activists to the Commission—allegations the NPP said he could not substantiate—and called for an amendment to Article 43(2) of the Constitution so that Parliament would approve such appointments. “The President has now done exactly what he condemned,” the NPP stated.
It warned that the move risks undermining the foundation of electoral credibility.
“Public confidence in the Commission is the foundation on which every election result rests. Once that confidence is lost, every registration exercise, every boundary decision and every declaration of results become open to suspicion. That is a danger to the peace and stability of our country, and it is avoidable,” the statement continued.
The NPP called on President Mahama to withdraw the appointment and urged the Council of State to explain the advice it gave on the matter.
It further called on the government to use the ongoing constitutional review process to reform the appointment of Electoral Commission members, in line with the proposal Mahama himself made in 2023.
The party expressed doubt about Agbenyo’s ability to act neutrally, stating it “cannot trust that an active NDC operative will demonstrate respect for the law” and that her “accuracy, professionalism and competence would be clouded due to her strong affiliation with the NDC.”
The NPP also took “serious note” of the acceptance speech delivered by Mr. Asamoah, describing his remarks as “deeply troubling” and bearing “the hallmarks of a partisan agenda” aligned with the NDC’s interests. It said the comments, if left unchallenged, could undermine national peace and stability.
The party pledged to use every lawful means available to protect the integrity of the electoral system and invited civil society organisations, religious bodies, the media and all well-meaning Ghanaians to add their voices to the call.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
