Also known as: Electoral Commission (EC)
State institution responsible for conducting elections and managing constituency executive elections in Ghana, subject to debate over political independence of its leadership appointments.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Electoral Commission
Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Titus Glover, says Ghanaians will ultimately judge President John Dramani Mahama’s administration over its decisions, including the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC). …
NDC can appoint whoever they want to EC, but Ghanaians will make a decision in 2028 – Titus GloverJoy Online
Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, has stated that President John Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Affi Agbenyo as one of the two new Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission is “constitutionally appropriate”, although critics reserve the right to remind the …
Affi Agbenyo’s EC appointment is constitutionally appropriate, but politically, people have the right to remind us – Haruna IddrisuJoy Online
The swearing-in of 43-year-old Emelia Affi Agbenyo as one of the two new Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission has stoked controversy following her affiliation with the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC). …
Who’s Emelia Affi Agbenyo, the 43-year-old newly sworn-in Deputy EC Chair?Joy Online
On Monday, 12 October 2026, President Mahama swore in two new Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission, Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah. …
Standards are not Seasonal: What the EC appointments teach both sidesThe Chronicle
President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned the newly sworn-in Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC) against partisan conduct, insisting that the Commission must not give preferential treatment to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), his government or …
No Preferential Treatment For NDC … Mahama Tells Newly Sworn-In Deputy EC ChairsJoy Online
Presidential staffer Beatrice Annan has defended the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), arguing that her participation in political campaigns should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of partisan allegiance or a thr …
Beatrice Annan defends Afi Agbenyo’s EC appointment, cites record of gender advocacyJoy Online
The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of undermining Ghana’s democracy over the appointment of Emelia Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC). …
NDC sinking Ghana’s democracy with Emelia Agbenyo’s appointment – Miracles AboagyeJoy Online
… National Director of Elections and IT of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Rashid Tanko-Computer, has dismissed concerns about a potential conflict of interest in the appointment of former party spokesperson Emelia Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission …
No conflict in appointing Emelia Agbenyo as Deputy EC Chair – NDCJoy Online
President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in Emelia Afi Agbenyo and Dr Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC). …
Photos: Mahama swears in Emelia Afi Agbenyo, Joseph Kwaku Asamoah as EC Deputy CommissionersJoy Online
Newly appointed Deputy Commissioners of the Electoral Commission (EC) have pledged to discharge their duties without fear or favour, assuring President John Dramani Mahama of their commitment to restoring public confidence in the Commission and safeguarding the credibility of Gha …
We’ll deliver without fear or favour – New EC Deputy Chairpersons assure MahamaCallistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to President John Dramani Mahama, has argued that appointing the Electoral Commission Chairperson does not guarantee electoral victory for the appointing President or party, citing the 2016 and 2024 elections as evidence that voter choice remains decisive.
29 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Callistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to President John Dramani Mahama, has argued that appointing the Electoral Commission Chairperson does not guarantee electoral victory for the appointing President or party, citing the 2016 and 2024 elections as evidence that voter choice remains decisive.
29 October 2026 · Joy Online →
President Mahama's Executive Secretary has urged political parties to prioritise persuading voters and building public confidence through credible policies rather than focusing suspicion on the political affiliations of Electoral Commission officials. He argued that portraying electoral victory as dependent on who occupies positions at the Commission could breed complacency or fatalism among supporters.
29 October 2026 · Joy Online →
An opinion piece argues that while public concern about Electoral Commission appointments is understandable, excessive political suspicion overstates the institution's power relative to the actual electorate. The author contends that discerning voters ultimately decide elections, not commissioners appointed by the sitting President.
29 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Solomon Reuben Jabari defeated incumbent Simon Alonga with 1,319 votes to 263 in Saturday's NDC constituency executive elections in Ashanti Region. Jabari warned the NPP to prepare for a tough contest in the 2028 general election and apologised to the Electoral Commission over earlier allegations of bias.
26 October 2026 · Daily Guide →
The Electoral Commission in Dormaa Central has not yet declared winners of the NDC constituency election because voting extended to 1915 hours instead of the planned 1400 hours, pushing ballot sorting and counting into the night. About 1,290 delegates participated in the election to decide on 55 candidates.
26 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The National Democratic Congress held constituency executive elections in Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro in Greater Accra, with delegates arriving in large numbers to vote for positions including Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and other grassroots leadership roles. The process was conducted by Electoral Commission officials and described by observers as peaceful and transparent.
24 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The National Democratic Congress is conducting constituency executive elections nationwide this weekend despite a court injunction restraining the party from holding polls in Nkwanta North in the Oti Region. About 15,000 aspirants are expected to contest various executive positions across the NDC's 276 constituencies as part of the party's reorganisation programme ahead of the 2028 general elections.
24 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Chronicle argues that Ghana's Fourth Republic has become dominated by contest between NDC and NPP, each treating the other as an enemy to be destroyed rather than a rival to be defeated at the polls. The result is a politics of capture, insult and hypocrisy that threatens the trust on which democracy rests, with every institution becoming a prize and every appointment a weapon.
20 October 2026 · The Chronicle →
Senyo Hosi, convenor of the One Ghana Movement, has criticized President Mahama's appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, citing concerns about the commission's perceived independence given her previous role as NDC manifesto spokesperson. The appointment has also drawn criticism from the NPP, while government officials have defended it as part of a broader reset of state institutions.
18 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways Alhassan Suhuyini has said a proper reset of Ghana's Electoral Commission would have involved replacing existing commissioners and establishing a transparent appointment process for people with proven integrity and credibility, without partisan bias. He argued this would restore public confidence in the Commission's impartiality and independence.
17 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Private legal practitioner Victoria Bright has called for consistency in the appointment of Electoral Commission officials, arguing that the Commission must command public confidence regardless of which political party is in power, and that appointments should be assessed against consistent standards of constitutional legality, professional suitability, and public confidence in independence.
17 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Private legal practitioner Victoria Bright has called demands for Electoral Commission Deputy Chairperson Emelia Affi Agbenyo to resign "excessive," arguing that applying the same standard would require the entire Commission to step down, given other commissioners' political affiliations. Bright said the focus should instead be on improving the appointment process to ensure public confidence.
17 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has called for the resignation of Electoral Commission Deputy Chairperson Emelia Afi Agbenyo over concerns about her alleged affiliation with the National Democratic Congress, arguing the appointment could undermine public confidence in the EC's independence and impartiality.
17 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Akosua Manu, Special Adviser on Gender and Social Protection to former Vice-President Bawumia, has criticized the NDC's appointment of Affi Agbenyo as Deputy EC Chairperson, arguing it contradicts the party's earlier opposition to politically affiliated appointees to the Electoral Commission under the previous NPP government.
17 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Lawyer Victoria Bright has warned that the explanation for Afi Agbenyo's appointment as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission — described as intended to "tilt the balance" — is deeply troubling and could undermine public confidence in the Commission's independence. She said the justification appears inconsistent with President John Mahama's assurance that the new EC leadership must act impartially and not favour his government or the NDC.
17 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said Emelia Affi Agbenyo is competent and independent for the Deputy Chairperson role at the Electoral Commission, though he acknowledged the appointment's optics are problematic given her NDC affiliation.
17 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the optics surrounding Emelia Affi Agbenyo's appointment as Deputy Chair of the Electoral Commission were unfavourable, owing to her association with the NDC, though he defended her integrity and competence. Agbenyo's appointment has drawn criticism from the opposition over concerns about electoral neutrality, given her role as an NDC spokesperson during the 2024 campaign.
17 October 2026 · Joy Online →
JoyNews' Newsfile programme will discuss the GH¢49.72 million spent evacuating Ghanaians from South Africa, Electoral Commission appointments, allegations of sexual abuse at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, and a dismissed defamation suit.
16 October 2026 · Joy Online →
A Saturday episode of Newsfile will investigate GH₵49.72 million spent on evacuating 1,964 Ghanaians from South Africa, scrutinize Electoral Commission appointments by President Mahama, and examine allegations of sexual abuse in schools, while also addressing a GH₵15 million defamation suit against a public official.
16 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The New Patriotic Party held an Islamic National Thanksgiving Prayer Service at Kintampo Central Mosque in the Bono East Region to give thanks for a peaceful executive election that saw eleven national executives elected ahead of 2028. Flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia attended and spoke about conceding defeat in the 2024 election, describing the party's recent executive polls as orderly and a sign of divine favour.
16 October 2026 · Joy Online →
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers has called on Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Emelia Affi Agbenyo to resign, citing publicly documented evidence of her involvement in the National Democratic Congress's 2024 election campaign and concerns that her past political activities undermine public confidence in the Commission's impartiality. CODEO urged President John Dramani Mahama to call on Ms Agbenyo to step down to demonstrate consistency with his stated position on electoral reforms.
16 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Senior Presidential Advisor Joyce Bawah Mogtari has called for the Obaasima Conference to create space for women to discuss leadership challenges, learn from each other, and build professional relationships. She cited conversations about pressures women face in leadership—including workplace prejudice and doubts about their competence—as evidence of the value of mutual support and solidarity networks.
16 October 2026 · Joy Online →
Following Ghana's 2024 elections and the NDC's victory, the voices that shaped campaign messaging are now demanding answers and a seat at the table with the new government, raising questions about the evolving relationship between political communicators and those in power.
15 October 2026 · Joy Online →
President John Mahama has appointed a former NDC campaign spokesperson as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and Emelia Afi Agbenyo, an NDC governance spokesperson, to the EC, drawing scrutiny given his previous opposition criticisms of President Akufo-Addo for appointing NPP-linked individuals to the same body.
15 October 2026 · The Chronicle →
The New Patriotic Party has rejected President Mahama's appointment of Emelia Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, citing her alleged close association with the NDC and claiming she served as the party's governance sector spokesperson and campaigned for it ahead of the 2024 elections. The NPP argues the appointment raises concerns about her political neutrality and contradicts the President's earlier criticism of appointing party activists to the Electoral Commission.
14 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
A Joy Online editorial examines whether Ghana's Electoral Commission remains truly independent after President John Dramani Mahama appointed two Deputy Electoral Commissioners, a move that has reignited debate about the institution's credibility and impartiality. The piece questions whether the New Patriotic Party's opposition stems from legitimate institutional concerns or partisan calculations, and calls for examination of the constitutional framework and political history shaping perceptions of the EC's neutrality.
14 October 2026 · Joy Online →
An opinion piece argues that President Mahama's appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, given her previous NDC campaign role and public support for Mahama, creates foreseeable doubts about institutional impartiality regardless of her competence or integrity.
14 October 2026 · Daily Guide →
President Mahama appointed Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission on 12 October. In August 2024, the NDC officially listed her as a spokeswoman for the governance section of its election manifesto, raising questions about the appearance of political impartiality, though a presidential staffer notes she was not a card-bearing party member and her involvement reflected advocacy for women's representation.
14 October 2026 · Joy Online →
President Mahama has sworn in two new Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission and urged them to apply the same standards to everyone without favour towards any political party, candidate or government.
14 October 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
CDD-Ghana Fellow Dr John Osae-Kwapong has argued that public scrutiny of Electoral Commission appointments may overlook appointees with concealed political loyalties, suggesting that those whose partisan sympathies are less visible may receive greater acceptance despite holding strong partisan views.
14 October 2026 · Joy Online →