Former NPP member Solomon Owusu has declared that the United Party will remove all Electoral Commission commissioners if the party comes to power, arguing that the institution has become politically tainted and needs a fresh start.
Owusu made the declaration during an interview while discussing the controversy surrounding the appointment of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Electoral Commission Chair, following concerns from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) about her alleged affiliation with the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He argued that the EC had lost public confidence because people associated with both major political parties were serving on the commission.
“It is accepted by all and sundry that it is a politically tainted institution. We have NPP members, we have NDC members. This is a fact,” he said on Joy Prime.
Owusu insisted that the United Party would not retain the existing commissioners if it gained political power.
“The only political party that must be wrong disturbed is the United Party. I’m saying that if we come to power, we will clear all of them out,” he declared.
His comments followed a discussion about whether Ghana could establish an Electoral Commission whose members were free from political affiliations, with Owusu arguing that people could have political beliefs but should not openly display partisan loyalties while serving in such an institution.
He also questioned why a government would allow commissioners it considers politically aligned with the opposition to oversee elections.
“If you are a responsible government and you are serious about your mandate, you allow them to go and run election for you?” he asked.
