The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rejected the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).

The party said it considers the appointment unacceptable because of Ms Agbenyo’s previous political activities and alleged association with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In a statement signed by the NPP National Communications Director, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the party said Ms Agbenyo served as the NPP’s governance sector spokesperson during the preparation of its 2024 manifesto.

The NPP also alleged that she later participated in NDC campaign activities.

“She is seen in videos on NDC campaign rally platforms campaigning with and for the NDC. She is seen in NDC campaign T-shirts openly advocating for the NDC,” the party said.

The NPP questioned her appointment to a senior position at the EC less than two years before the 2028 general elections.

“Less than two years on, the President has placed her among the top leadership of the institution that will conduct the 2028 general elections. We find this unacceptable,” the party stated.

The party also accused President John Dramani Mahama of contradicting his previous position on political appointments to the EC.

It recalled that in March 2023, then-opposition leader John Mahama criticised the appointment of people he described as party activists to the Commission and called for Article 43(2) of the Constitution to be amended to allow Parliament to approve such appointments.

“The President has now done exactly what he condemned,” the NPP said.

The party warned that the appointment could affect public confidence in the EC.

“Public confidence in the Commission is the foundation on which every election result rests,” it underscored.

The NPP said the loss of public confidence could lead to suspicion over electoral processes, including voter registration, boundary decisions and the declaration of results.

The party called on President Mahama to withdraw Ms Agbenyo’s appointment.

It also asked the Council of State to explain the advice it gave on the appointment.

The NPP further called for reforms to the appointment of EC members as part of the ongoing constitutional review process.

The party said it would use “every lawful means available” to protect the integrity of Ghana’s electoral system and called on civil society organisations, religious bodies, the media and the public to support its position.