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CODEO Condemns Partisan Appointment to Electoral Commission, Calls on Agbenyo to Resign
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers has condemned the appointment of Ms. Emelia Affi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission. CODEO says her known political activism for the NDC during the 2024 elections directly compromises public confidence in the EC’s independence and impartiality. The coalition comprises over 41 member organisations. Furthermore, it calls on Ms. Agbenyo to honourably resign and urges President Mahama to demonstrate consistency with the principles he advocated while in opposition.
Documented NDC Political Engagement by Agbenyo
CODEO cited clear evidence of Ms. Agbenyo’s partisan political activities before her appointment. In August 2024, the NDC publicly listed her among its sectoral spokespersons for the party’s 2024 election manifesto under the governance portfolio. Moreover, she posted a video on Facebook on September 20, 2024, featuring the then NDC presidential candidate with campaign hashtags including voteforchange2024.
On October 31, 2024, she posted a photograph of John Dramani Mahama with the caption urging voters to salvage democracy. Furthermore, on December 2, 2024, she posted on X stating she would vote against the then ruling government and including the hashtag VoteJohnMahama2024.
Mahama Criticised Similar Appointments in 2023 — CODEO Reminds Him
CODEO reminded President Mahama of his own position on EC appointments while in opposition. In March 2023, Mahama criticised the appointment of known party activists to the Electoral Commission. He called for an amendment to Article 43(2) of the 1992 Constitution to require parliamentary approval of new commissioners.
Therefore, CODEO says the principles he advocated in 2023 must apply consistently now that he is in government. The coalition stressed that the credibility of electoral institutions demands the same standards regardless of which political party holds power.
CODEO Makes Four Demands to Protect EC Independence
CODEO made four specific demands following the Agbenyo appointment. First, it calls on Ms. Agbenyo to resign in the interest of public confidence in the EC. Second, it urges President Mahama to demonstrate consistency with his previously stated position by asking her to resign. Third, it calls on government to advance reforms ensuring future EC appointments are transparent, merit-based, and capable of commanding confidence across the political divide. Fourth, it calls on the Council of State to develop transparent processes for citizens to assess how it discharges its constitutional responsibilities. Moreover, CODEO urged government to reconsider its rejection of the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendation for an open and competitive EC appointment process with parliamentary oversight.