The New Patriotic Party has rejected the appointment of Madam Emelia Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission by President John Dramani Mahama, citing concerns over her alleged affiliation with the governing National Democratic Congress and calling for the appointment to be withdrawn in a release dated 13th October 2026 signed by Dennis Miracles Aboagye, National Communications Director, NPP.
In a statement dated Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the party described her alleged affiliation with the NDC as a threat to public confidence in the electoral process. The NPP argued that Madam Agbenyo’s previous role as the NDC’s governance sector spokesperson during preparation of the party’s 2024 manifesto, as well as her alleged participation in NDC campaign rallies, raised concerns about her ability to perform duties impartially.
According to the party, videos showing her campaigning for the NDC and wearing the party’s campaign T-shirts were evidence of her political affiliation. The NPP said her appointment to the leadership of an institution responsible for overseeing elections, less than two years after the 2024 campaign, was unacceptable. The party also accused President Mahama of contradicting his earlier position on appointments to the Electoral Commission.
The party cited comments made by the President in March 2023, when he reportedly criticised the appointment of persons 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 said the President’s decision to appoint Madam Agbenyo was inconsistent with that position and warned that perceived partisanship within the Electoral Commission could undermine public confidence in voter registration, electoral boundary decisions and declaration of election results.
The appointment comes after President Mahama on Monday, October 12, 2026 swore into office two Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission at the Presidency in Accra. They are Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, Director of Finance at the EC and law lecturer at KNUST, and Mrs Emelia Afi Agbenyo, an international development and corporate management consultant. Their appointments follow the resignation of Dr Bossman Asare and retirement of Mr Samuel Tettey.
Government communicators including Minister of State Felix Kwakye Ofosu have defended the appointment, arguing NPP previously appointed persons with known affiliations and that Agbenyo has the temperament and professional standing to operate professionally. The NPP maintains confidence in the Commission is essential to safeguarding electoral credibility and peace and stability, and has called on President Mahama to withdraw the appointment.
Call or WhatsApp +233 20 2190 250 and share your story. Author: Stella Sunu
