NPP rejects Emelia Agbenyo’s appointment as electoral commission Deputy Chairperson

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has challenged the appointment of Emelia Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) by President John Dramani Mahama, raising concerns about her political neutrality. The party's statement, issued on October 13, 2026, cited her close ties with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a reason to doubt her suitability for the role.

They noted that she had served as the NDC's governance sector spokesperson during the 2024 manifesto preparation and campaigned for the NDC at rallies and during the preceding election. The NPP questioned the timing of the appointment, occurring less than two years after the election, and argued that it could undermine public confidence in the electoral body ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The party reminded the public of Mahama's previous criticism of appointing party activists to the EC and called for a constitutional amendment requiring parliamentary approval for such appointments. The NPP has urged President Mahama to withdraw Agbenyo's appointment and for the Council of State to explain its advice. They also called for reforms to the appointment process for EC members as part of the constitutional review.

Concerns were expressed about inappropriate remarks made in an acceptance speech by a party member, suggesting a partisan agenda. The NPP vowed to safeguard Ghana's electoral system through lawful means and appealed to citizens, civil society, religious bodies, and the media to back their cause.