Current EC Lacks Independence – Agbana

Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Edem Agbana, has once again questioned the credibility of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), insisting that the current leadership lacks the independence and institutional strength needed to protect the country’s democratic processes.

“We have maintained our position that the current Electoral Commission, for us, is not fit for purpose.

“There must be some changes in it. It is important for us to build the institution to be strong and truly independent, but the current composition we have will not allow us to describe this EC as truly independent,” Agbana said on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, July 5.

His comments follow the EC’s decision to rerun the parliamentary election in 19 polling stations within the Ablekuma North Constituency.

The decision, outlined in a July 2 statement signed by Deputy Chairman of Operations, Samuel Tettey, came after a July 1 meeting between the EC and the two main political parties—the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The rerun, scheduled for Friday, July 11, 2025, follows a months-long impasse between the NDC and NPP over the credibility of results from the December 7, 2024 parliamentary election in the constituency.

Despite ongoing criticism of the EC’s handling of the electoral process, Agbana welcomed the Commission’s move to conduct the rerun.

“We welcome the decision to rerun the election in 19 polling stations.

“We will go into the election with all our force and campaign by entering every home in Ablekuma North to ensure that we win that seat,” he declared.

Responding to reports that the NPP may boycott the rerun or pursue legal action, Agbana was clear in his confidence:

“The NPP can decide to boycott it, that’s up to them. They can go to court.

“But whatever the case, I am assuring you that the Ablekuma North seat will certainly come to the NDC because we worked for it.”

The outcome of the July 11 rerun is likely to be closely watched, not only for its impact on the composition of Parliament but also as a test of the EC’s ability to manage a highly charged political contest.

I still don’t know why Jean Mensa and her cohorts are still in office, even with the intense scrutiny surrounding them before and after the 2024 elections.

Considering how the former EC chair, Madam Charlotte Osei, was sacked when Akufo-Addo assumed power—having been appointed by Mahama during his earlier administration—Jean should have also packed out on her own when Mahama returned to power, as she was appointed by Akufo-Addo.

Source: Liberalprint.com