The Tema Metropolitan Electoral Officer, Ofusehene Asante Manasseh, has alleged that he was forced by members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to declare Ebi Bright as the winner of the Tema Central parliamentary seat in the recently concluded elections. In a detailed letter addressed to Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr. Asante recounted the circumstances under which he was allegedly coerced to make the declaration, citing threats to his life and those of his staff as the primary reason for his decision.
According to Mr. Asante, the ordeal began when prominent NDC figures, including Nelson Rockson Defeamekpor, Member of Parliament for South Dayi, and Malik Basintale, the NDC's Deputy National Communications Officer, stormed the collation center. Supported by a large group of angry NDC supporters, they allegedly pressured him to announce Ebi Bright as the Member of Parliament-elect, despite the collation process being incomplete.
Mr. Asante claims that the atmosphere at the collation center became increasingly tense as Mr. Defeamekpor and Mr. Basintale intensified their demands. "Throughout the collation process, Defeamekpor repeatedly threatened me, while Basintale incited the gathered supporters by leading chants of revolutionary songs," Mr. Asante wrote in his letter.
Despite the presence of police officers deployed to ensure his safety, the situation spiraled out of control. Mr. Asante alleged that the threats continued even after he was escorted to the Tema Regional Police Command for protection. Supporters of the NDC reportedly followed him there, continuing their demands for Ebi Bright’s declaration as the winner. "I faced a situation where my life, the lives of my officials, the police, and even members of the media were at risk. I was left with no choice but to prioritize our safety over the legality of the process," he stated.
Under duress, Mr. Asante announced Ebi Bright as the MP-elect for Tema Central, a decision he has since contested in his letter to the EC Chairperson. He revealed that his declaration was made without the inclusion of results from two key polling stations, which, if considered, would have secured victory for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Charles Forson, by a margin of 55 votes.
Mr. Asante explained, “There are two polling station results yet to be collated, and their inclusion would have altered the election outcome, giving Charles Forson the lead by 55 votes. My declaration under duress does not reflect the true will of the electorate.”
Further complicating matters, Mr. Asante clarified that he was not the designated returning officer for the constituency. That responsibility, he noted, rested with one Kwasi Brobbey. As such, he argued that his declaration was both legally invalid and made under extraordinary circumstances.
"I was not the authorized returning officer for the Tema Central constituency, making my declaration not only illegal but also influenced by external pressures," Mr. Asante explained.
The EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, has confirmed receipt of Mr. Asante’s letter. The allegations have sparked significant debate, with calls for further investigation into the claims.
In the initial declaration, Ebi Bright was reported to have secured 18,539 votes, narrowly defeating Charles Forson, who garnered 18,421 votes. However, the results from the two excluded polling stations could potentially overturn this outcome.
The controversy surrounding the Tema Central constituency has added to growing concerns about the conduct of the 2024 general elections. While international observers, including the Commonwealth Observer Mission, have described the elections as largely free and fair, incidents such as this highlight potential flaws in the process.
The NDC has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations. Meanwhile, political analysts and election observers are urging calm as the Electoral Commission reviews the matter.
This incident serves as a reminder of the need for robust systems and stronger safeguards to ensure the integrity of election outcomes. The safety of electoral officials and the enforcement of legal procedures are paramount to maintaining public trust in Ghana’s democratic process.
The Tema Central situation underscores the delicate balance between safeguarding democracy and addressing external pressures that may compromise the integrity of election results. As the EC reviews Mr. Asante's appeal, the nation awaits a resolution that reflects the true will of the people.
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