The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rejected the appointment of Emelia Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), citing her previous association with the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In a statement dated October 13, 2026, and signed by its National Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the NPP questioned her suitability for the position, given her involvement in the NDC’s political activities before President John Dramani Mahama appointed her.
According to the party, Madam Agbenyo served as the NDC’s governance sector spokesperson during the preparation of its 2024 manifesto and participated in the party’s campaign activities ahead of the general elections.
The NPP said her appointment to the leadership of the EC, which will oversee the 2028 general elections, raised concerns about the Commission’s perceived neutrality.
“We wish to state clearly that the Party rejects this appointment,” the statement said.
The party argued that public confidence in the EC was essential to the credibility of electoral processes, including voter registration, constituency boundary decisions and the declaration of election results.
“Public confidence in the Commission is the foundation on which every election result rests,” it said, warning that any loss of confidence could expose electoral processes to suspicion and threaten national stability.
The NPP has consequently called on President Mahama to withdraw the appointment and urged the Council of State to explain the advice it provided on the matter.
It also called on civil society organisations, religious bodies, the media and other stakeholders to support its demand, adding that it would use all lawful means available to protect the integrity of Ghana’s electoral system.
The party further urged the government to use the ongoing constitutional review process to reform the appointment of EC members.
It said the reforms should reflect a proposal President Mahama made in March 2023, when he criticised the appointment of individuals he described as party activists to the Commission and called for an amendment to Article 43(2) of the 1992 Constitution to require parliamentary approval for such appointments.
The NPP maintained that the current appointment contradicted the position the President had previously expressed.
