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Kamaldeen Warns Partisan EC Appointments Could Trigger Dangerous Precedent

A member of the New Patriotic Party’s Communications Team, Kamaldeen Abdulai, has cautioned that appointments to the Electoral Commission perceived as politically motivated could undermine public confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions. He made the remarks while reacting to recent appointments to the EC leadership on Thursday, 22nd October, 2026.

Kamaldeen argued that if each new administration replaces EC officials with persons considered sympathetic to its cause, Ghana risks entrenching a dangerous cycle of partisan balancing. He warned that such a precedent would weaken the Commission’s independence and make it difficult for citizens to trust electoral outcomes, regardless of which party is in power.

His comments come days after President John Dramani Mahama swore in two new Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission, Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Mrs Emelia Afi Agbenyo, following the resignation of Dr Bossman Asare and the retirement of Mr Samuel Tettey. While the Presidency has defended the appointments as merit-based, the NPP and some civil society groups have questioned the perceived partisan background of one of the appointees.

According to Kamaldeen, the solution is not to justify current appointments by referencing past ones, but to establish a transparent and non-partisan standard that successive governments will respect. He stressed that the Electoral Commission must remain above partisan politics, noting that its credibility is the foundation of peaceful elections. The concern, he said, is that politically coloured appointments today will be used to justify similar appointments tomorrow.

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Political analysts have similarly warned that if appointments to independent constitutional bodies are seen as rewards for political loyalty, every change of government could trigger wholesale replacements. Kamaldeen urged stakeholders including the Council of State, Parliament and civil society to push for reforms that insulate the EC from partisan influence, including clearer criteria for appointments and stronger public vetting.

As of Thursday, the Electoral Commission has not officially responded to the latest criticisms. The Presidency maintains that the new deputies were selected on competence and experience. Full story via Citi Newsroom.

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Author: Stella Sunu • Published on Howedey.com

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