Nullify Tema Central declaration, I was forced to declare the NDC Candidate as winner – EC official tells Jean Mensa

Ofosuhene Asante Manasseh, the Tema Metropolitan Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission (EC), has accused key members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of coercing him to declare Ebi Bright as the Member of Parliament (MP)-elect for Tema Central. In a letter addressed to EC Chairperson Jean Mensa, Mr. Asante detailed incidents of threats and intimidation by NDC officials and their supporters, which, he claimed, endangered the lives of himself, his officers, and others present.

Allegations of Intimidation

According to Mr. Asante, NDC officials, including South Dayi MP Nelson Rockson Defeamekpor and Deputy National Communications Officer Malik Basintale, led a group of supporters to the collation center. These supporters allegedly chanted revolutionary songs and exerted pressure on him throughout the collation process. He stated that Mr. Defeamekpor repeatedly threatened him, and when he disagreed on legal matters, Mr. Basintale incited supporters to escalate tensions.

Despite police officers being present at the collation center, Mr. Asante claimed the threats persisted, prompting law enforcement to escort him to the Tema Regional Police Command for safety. However, the situation reportedly worsened when Mr. Defeamekpor and Mr. Basintale led supporters to the police station, continuing to demand the declaration of Ebi Bright as the winner.

“My life, the lives of my officials, as well as those of the police and media, were at stake,” Mr. Asante stated. “I was forced to prioritize my safety over the legality of the declaration.”

Incomplete Collation of Results

Under duress, Mr. Asante declared Ebi Bright the MP-elect for Tema Central. However, he revealed that the collation of results was not yet complete at the time. Results from two polling stations, which were not included in the declaration, would have shifted the outcome in favor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Charles Forson, by a margin of 55 votes.

According to the declared results, Ebi Bright garnered 18,539 votes, while Charles Forson received 18,421 votes. However, including the outstanding polling station results would have reversed this outcome.

Request for Nullification

Mr. Asante urged the EC Chairperson to nullify the results, arguing that the declaration was not only made under duress but also lacked legal validity. He clarified that the designated returning officer for the constituency, Kwasi Brobbey, was the only official authorized to declare the winner.

The EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, has confirmed receipt of Mr. Asante’s letter and is expected to review the matter.

Implications

The allegations, if substantiated, raise serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the safety of officials involved. The situation underscores the need for stronger measures to ensure the protection of electoral officers and the impartiality of the election process.

The EC’s handling of this case will be critical in maintaining public confidence in the institution and the overall democratic process in Ghana.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com