By Francis Kobena Tandoh
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has condemned the appointment and subsequent swearing-in of Emelia Affi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), according to a statement on Thursday.
CODEO said even though the President has flouted no law regarding her appointment, Affi Agenyo’s political engagement with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the last general election is a dent on the credibility of the electoral management body.
The election observer group emphasised that the integrity of the EC depends not only on the neutrality of its commissioners but also on the public’s absolute confidence in that neutrality.
“The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers, comprising over 41-member organizations, expresses strong disapproval regarding the appointment and swearing-in of Ms. Emelia Affi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana,” read the statement.
It added, “While CODEO recognises the President’s constitutional authority over appointments, public evidence of Ms. Agbenyo’s active political engagement with the National Democratic Congress during the 2024 general election campaign directly compromises the public perception of the independence, impartiality, and institutional credibility of the Electoral Commission.”
The body highlighted a litany of activities detailing Ms. Agbenyo’s active public engagement with the NDC.
It emphasised that its stance on appointments to the Electoral Commission has consistently called for a broader consultative process in the appointment of members of the electoral management body beyond the dictates of Article 70 (2) of the 1992 Constitution.
President John Dramani Mahama on Monday appointed Ms. Emelia Affi Agbenyo and Dr. Joseph Kweku Asamoah as Deputy EC Chairpersons, replacing Dr. Eric Bossman Asare and Samuel Tettey, who resigned and retired, respectively, this year.
The appointment of the duo, especially Ms. Agbenyo, has so much discussion across the country, with the opposition New Patriotic Party calling on the President to withdraw the appointment immediately. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
