# Ghana Electoral Commission appointment controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20261014-ghana-electoral-commission-appointment-controversy > Updated: 2026-10-14T21:54:26.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 2. President John Dramani Mahama appointed Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Emelia Afi Agbenyo as new Deputy Chairpersons of Ghana’s Electoral Commission to fill vacancies. During the swearing-in, the President called for impartiality and transparency, noting that public confidence in the Commission had fallen to 33 per cent according to Afrobarometer data. The appointments triggered political friction, with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) rejecting Agbenyo’s appointment due to her previous role as an NDC campaign spokesperson. In response to the debate, journalist Kwesi Pratt proposed restructuring the appointment process to reduce political influence. Following Agbenyo’s swearing-in on October 12, 2026, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) called for her resignation. CODEO argued that her documented political activities with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2024 election campaign threaten the institution’s neutrality. While acknowledging the President’s constitutional authority, CODEO emphasized that the Commission’s credibility depends on the public’s perception of its impartiality. The controversy has led to renewed calls for constitutional reforms to ensure a transparent, merit-based selection process and to strengthen the Commission’s independence. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-14: Ghana's CODEO calls for resignation of EC Deputy Chair Agbenyo Ghana's CODEO has called for the resignation of newly appointed EC Deputy Chair Emelia Affi Agbenyo, citing her past political ties to the NDC as a threat to the Electoral Commission's perceived neutrality. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kwesi-pratt-calls-for-reform-of-ghanas-electoral-commission-appointment-system ### 2026-10-12: Ghana Electoral Commission appoints two new Deputy Chairpersons President Mahama has appointed Dr. Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairpersons of Ghana's Electoral Commission, amid political debate over partisan neutrality. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ghana-president-appoints-new-electoral-commission-deputy-chairpersons --- Cite as: Ghana Electoral Commission appointment controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20261014-ghana-electoral-commission-appointment-controversy