In a surprising turn of events, the late Manasseh Sackey, popularly known as Obour, has been declared the winner of the district-level elections in the Tebrebe Electoral Area of the Western Region.
Obour, the incumbent assembly member seeking re-election and head teacher of Aboponiso MA School, tragically lost his life on December 5, 2023, during a campaign tour to a village in his electoral area.
Despite Obour's untimely demise, the electorates, moved by a deep sense of appreciation for his past contributions, cast their votes in his favour. Even Obour's widow, Vida Addison Sackey, expressed her amazement at the overwhelming support from the community.
“Yesterday was the election day, although people know he has passed on, they voted for him. That marvels me a lot. It means they love him and they cherish whatever he came to do,” Mrs Sackey shared in an interview with JoyNews.
Highlighting Obour's significant impact in the electoral area, she remarked, “He did a lot in his electoral area, putting people into apprenticeships; he did a lot, a lot, a lot. They appreciated whatever he came to do, and they were well convinced that whether he's dead or alive, they'll vote for him. We're waiting for the EC, whatever the EC will say.”
In response to the extraordinary circumstances, Ekow Essien, the Electoral Officer for the Tebrebe Electoral Area, clarified the legal procedures that must be followed.
Essien stated, “The law indicates that if a candidate dies leaving only one candidate in the election, the Electoral Commission has to reopen nomination for another 10 days and reschedule the voting within 21 days.”
However, Essien added that if a candidate dies and there are still more than two candidates, the election can proceed as there is still a contest. Despite the unfortunate event in Tebrebe, he emphasized that the electoral process must move forward.
“The election in Tebrebe electoral area must proceed,” Essien affirmed.