CODEO urges Emelia Afi Agbenyo to resign from Electoral Commission

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called for the immediate resignation of Emelia Afi Agbenyo from her position as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC). The demand follows allegations regarding her partisan involvement with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2024 general election campaign. CODEO has also urged President John Dramani Mahama to demonstrate consistency with his previous positions on electoral reform by ensuring that the commission remains free from political bias.

The coalition’s concerns focus on the potential for Agbenyo’s alleged political links to undermine the perceived independence and credibility of the EC. CODEO emphasized that the integrity of the electoral management body depends heavily on public confidence in the impartiality of its members. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) had previously raised similar objections to her appointment, citing her ties to the governing NDC as a conflict of interest that could jeopardize the fairness of future electoral processes.

Adding weight to these calls, anti-corruption campaigner Vitus Azeem has warned against the practice of appointing politically affiliated individuals to independent state institutions. Azeem argued that such appointments compromise the independence of commissions and stressed the need for a non-partisan approach to enhance democratic integrity. He noted that the presence of individuals with known party loyalties in sensitive roles can create public distrust in the outcomes of their work, regardless of their actual performance.

In addition to seeking Agbenyo's resignation, CODEO is advocating for broader institutional reforms to ensure transparency in future appointments to the Electoral Commission. The coalition insists on greater accountability from the government and the Council of State regarding how electoral officials are selected. By pushing for these changes, the group aims to establish a more robust electoral management body that is shielded from partisan influence and capable of maintaining public trust throughout the democratic cycle.