The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Director of Elections, Mahdi Jibril, has argued that no Electoral Commission (EC) leader would be immune to public criticism, claiming that even the appointment of Jesus Christ would not end complaints about the Commission.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues, Mr Jibril made the remarks while discussing the swearing-in of Emelia Afi Agbenyo as a Deputy Chairperson of the EC.
He said political disagreements and public distrust of electoral officials had become recurring features of Ghana’s political environment, making it difficult for any appointee to avoid scrutiny.
“Go and bring Jesus Christ, and Ghanaians will still have issues. Even if you bring Jesus Christ or Mohammed as Electoral Commissioner, people will still have concerns in our political dispensation,” he said.
Mr Jibril also described the criticism surrounding Ms Agbenyo’s appointment as hypocritical, suggesting that political actors were applying inconsistent standards.
“Sometimes, it is hypocrisy that makes us behave this way. We have come to live with this,” he stated.
He further challenged the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) over its objections to the appointment, referring to the party’s election of a vice-chairman whom he said was expected to protect its ballot box.
“The NPP has made us aware that they have elected a vice-chairman who will protect their ballot box. So why are they running away and making noise?” he asked.
Ms Agbenyo’s appointment has attracted criticism from some political opponents over her previous involvement in NDC campaign activities, with concerns raised about how this could affect perceptions of the EC’s neutrality.
Mr Jibril’s comments come amid the wider debate over political affiliations, public confidence, and the impartiality expected of officials overseeing Ghana’s electoral process.
