NPP rejects appointment of Emelia Agbenyo as Deputy EC Chairperson

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has refused to accept Emelia Agbenyo's appointment as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), citing her alleged links to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a risk to public trust in the electoral process. In a statement released on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the NPP demanded that President John Dramani Mahama revoke the appointment.

The party pointed out that Agbenyo's past role as governance sector spokesperson for the NDC during the 2024 manifesto preparation, along with her presence at NDC campaign rallies, suggested she might not be impartial in her duties. The NPP also released videos of Agbenyo campaigning for the NDC and wearing their party's T-shirts, further questioning her neutrality.

The party argued that appointing her to oversee the elections, just two years after the 2024 campaign, was inappropriate. They also accused President Mahama of contradicting his earlier stance on EC appointments, as he had previously criticized the appointment of NDC activists to the Commission and advocated for a constitutional amendment requiring parliamentary approval for such appointments.

The NPP warned that perceived bias within the Electoral Commission could damage public confidence in voter registration, electoral boundary decisions, and the declaration of election results, all vital for maintaining national peace and stability. They called on the Council of State to clarify the advice it gave on the appointment and urged the government to reform the EC's appointment process during the ongoing constitutional review, as suggested by Mahama in 2023.

The NPP vowed to use all legal means to safeguard the Ghanaian electoral system and called on civil society organizations, religious bodies, the media, and other stakeholders to support their stance. The statement also expressed concern over remarks made by Mr. Asamoah in Agbenyo's acceptance speech, which the NPP deemed troubling and potentially destabilizing to national unity.