Titus Glover, the National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has told the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) they can appoint whoever they want at the Electoral Commission (EC).
According to Titus Glover, Ghanaians will ultimately judge President John Dramani Mahama’s administration on December 7.
He, however, accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of applying inconsistent standards in its criticism of previous EC officials.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Titus Glover stated, “They can appoint whoever they want to the Electoral Commission. Ghanaians will make a decision on December 7”.
“They accused Bossman Asare of being an NPP member without substantial evidence and made so much noise about him and the Director of IT. But now, we have an NDC member as a Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission,” he stated.
“We are now politicising every state institution. If you are not affiliated with the ‘green’ party, you cannot benefit from anything,” he added.
Meanwhile, Haruna Iddrisu, the Tamale South Member of Parliament, has said President John Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Affi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission is “constitutionally appropriate”.
The NDC member of parliament, however, noted that critics have the right to remind the NDC government of its actions in the past against similar appointments.
Speaking on Joy Super Morning Show on Tuesday, October 13, Haurna Iddrisu stated, “I know Affi very well, and I’ve worked with Affi. Affi, as at yesterday, was working under my Ministry, under TVET Services as Deputy to the Chief Executive. Now, is it constitutionally appropriate? Those are the questions you should ask. Does the President have the power under Article 45 to appoint? Now, one of the things we have not been able to do well is to use legislation to define the parameters of who is eligible. Beyond Article 45, 46, providing that there shall be an Electoral Commission, which shall have two deputies, we must have legislation which then defines a threshold as to who can enter into the Electoral Commission.”
When asked the kind of Electoral Commission he expects, he resoponded saying, “I just want an Electoral Commission that does not endanger democratic ethos and values. Persons who are independent, persons who are courageous, and persons who uphold the values of transparency”.
Haruna Iddrisu further added, “I share this crude idea with you: anytime people get worried about appointments to the Electoral Commission, you know I’ve supervised the Electoral Commission, even as its Chairman and Vice-Chairman, in terms of their budget for seven years. I’m sure I can say that probably maybe Kyei Mensa-Bonsu, I’ll come next in terms of depth and information on the Electoral Commission and its operation within the annals of Parliament”.
“Now, there’s a school of thought, and I’m sure it’s part of the constitutional review process that President Mahama has ignited, and be assured that there will be political and economic reforms led by President Mahama. There will be far-reaching changes; I’m sure when Parliament comes back, the Attorney General, on behalf of President Mahama, will introduce two important bills in Parliament. One, a bill seeking to amend the entrenched provisions of the Constitution, and two, a bill seeking to amend the non-entrenched provisions of the Constitution.”
“So, I think that the appointment is constitutionally appropriate, but politically, people have the right to remind us that if you seek equity, do equity. Maybe that’s what it is reminding us of.”
However, Haruna Iddrisu, when he was reminded that Affi Agbenyo had publicly campaigned on platforms for the NDC in the past, stated, “If she does that whilst in office, that would be unacceptable as Deputy Electoral Commissioner.”
“I was going to share my crude view with you, even though I’m hesitant. In Tamale South, the Electoral Commission, Deputy Electoral Commission- how do they impact my election? It is to provide me with a fair, open, transparent platform. But the onus of winning the election is mine. It’s not that of the Electoral Commission.
And the onus of avoiding fraud, or being cheated, or somebody treating you unfairly, is largely also mine. You know, many times, MPs abandon their role. You can check throughout history. Every day, up to the election, I spend my maximum time at the Electoral Commission. I’ll monitor every ballot box, what goes into the box, against the population of that polling station and others, into the night deployment of election officers.
“But I can understand the reservations that are being legitimately expressed by the Ghanaian people. If they are unhappy about it, the government has taken note of it,” he stated.
The development follows President John Mahama’s appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), which has since sparked debate on social media following her swearing-in.
The controversy follows the resurfacing of social media posts and an article highlighting Agbenyo’s alleged involvement in the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s campaign ahead of the 2024 general election.
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@ghnow_ American personality Gregory has arrived in Ghana alongside Peller and Humble Soul ahead of the much-anticipated Avengers Ghana Invasion. #GHNow #AvengersGhanaInvasion ♬ original sound – Fanfairwrld
