Welcome to  December 28 - Election - Run off

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Ashanti NDC Chairman attacked

People suspected to be New Patriotic Party supporters in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, are reported to be picking on followers of the National Democratic Congress for attacks.

Daniel Ohene Agyekum, NDC regional chairman, has told Joy FM he was attacked at his residence at Ridge, and he identified some of his alleged attackers as Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin North and one Appiah Stadium.

Other party officers and operatives have been attacked, and according to Ohene Agyekum, the group that marched on his house number about 500.

Police and military personnel, as well as NDC party supporters have since arrived at the residence.

Ohene Agyekum Luv FM’s journalist, Yaw Ansu Gyeabuor, that some Kumasi-based citizens of Tain, the outstanding constituency to conduct presidential election runoff in the Brong Ahafo Region, who had gone to see him for financial support to enable them travel back home to vote on Friday.

He said he had asked the group to wait, and while he was organizing to get them some support, they heard some noise that approached from the Ridge School end, and “suddenly there was this horde of marauding crowd or mob.”

“Kennedy Agyapong was leading them, …Appiah Stadium,…they came dressed in NPP T-shirts and NPP flags…so when our boys moved out, thank God they were here, when they moved out, it was going to be a near-clash.”

“Who doesn’t know Kennedy Agyapong? Who doesn’t know him? I saw him, I know him. The only person I didn’t know was Abinlele. I don’t know him but they mentioned his name, but Appiah Stadium I know him, they were leading the mob. Here, just at my entrance here. Why? What is this?”

He said three of the people with him were beaten up, and one of them was seriously injured he feared for his fate.

“They came with cutlasses, stones and sticks, and all types of deadly weapons. We thought that boy was dead.”

According to Ohene Agyekum, the crowd screamed death threats at him and his people, and explained that the attacks had been on since morning when the NPP agents attacked the party’s office, went to the regional Metro TV stations to also attack a video cameraman in pursuit of some recording, and in the process destroyed his video camera.

Ohene Agyekum said the threat of attacks had been reported to the police since morning, however nothing happened until they were attacked before the police showed up.

Meanwhile Kennedy Agyapong has denied being in Kumasi altogether, let alone lead any mob attacks.

He said he had returned from his constituency in the Central Region and was at a bank in Accra to cash money for the holidays when media houses started calling him with allegations he had led mob attacks in Kumasi.

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Rawlings Calls On Kufuor, Akuffo Addo to act

The attention of former President Rawlings has been drawn to a series of actions initiated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with the tacit support of the ruling government and the security agencies which if not checked will lead Ghana into complete anarchy.

It has become very obvious now that the NPPʼs quest for an election in Tain, vain as it is, was but a diversionary tactic to place a six-month injunction on the whole process that commenced on December 7 and is expected to conclude on January 2.

Reliable information obtained by the former President indicate that the Akufo-Addo campaign group having failed to win the election after heavily doctoring results in several constituencies in the Ashanti Region is sowing seeds of confusion to justify a court injunction.

NDC supporters across the country, but particularly in the Ashanti Region are being provoked to react violently and the blame passed onto leaders of the party such as the former President.

Presently in Kumasi what started as a demonstration by NPP supporters led by the notorious Appiah Stadium and other armed thugs against their leaders, for a perceived poor handling of the election has deteriorated into direct acts of vandalism and violence against NDC operatives following representations made to them by the Regional Minister Owusu Ansah.

Two journalists from Metro TV, Messrs Abdul Basid and Jeff Nsiah Boadu are currently undergoing treatment at the Komfo Anokye hospital.

The former President is directly challenging the NPP, particularly Nana Akufo Addo and outgoing President Kufuor to directly intervene and stop what is potential madness before it escalates.

NDC supporters and indeed all Ghanaians are being cautioned to exercise a great deal of restraint, but let no one be confused. Any acts of violence that occur and are taking place are the direct machinations of the desperate NPP government who believe they are the sole controllers of this country and are unwilling to hand over power when it is clear they have lost.

The NDC in spite of the clear fraud which saw increases of over 30,000 in some Ashanti constituency results between December 7 and 28 has been very sportsmanlike and agreed in the interest of peace to accept that the Tain vote take place.

If the NPP having recognised the helplessness of the situation cannot accept defeat and rather chooses to drag this matter in the law courts coupled with instigation of violence then they will fall on their own swords.

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BBC: NDC claims victory

Tensions are high in Ghana as official results from the knife-edge run-off presidential poll are to be released.

Opposition candidate John Atta Mills claims he has won, but the governing NPP party insisted the result remained too close to call.

Police earlier fired warning shots as large crowds converged on the election headquarters demanding the results.

Observers, who have given the poll a preliminary clean bill of health, urged both candidates to accept the results.

Monitors hope Ghana's poll can help salvage the tarnished image of constitutional democracy in Africa, after flawed elections in Kenya and Zimbabwe and military coups in Mauritania in August and in Guinea last week.

Besieged

The electoral commission headquarters in Accra was besieged on Tuesday by hundreds of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters demanding their candidate be declared the winner.

Ahead of a news conference scheduled for 1200GMT to release the official results, armed police and soldiers backed by water cannon trucks and an armoured personnel carrier kept the protesters behind barricades.

Governing New Patriotic Party chairman Peter Mac Manu has said there was widespread intimidation of its election agents in the Volta region and results from these areas would be challenged.

NPP candidate Nana Akufo-Addo gained the most votes in the first round earlier this month but did not pass the 50% threshold needed for outright victory.

The BBC's Will Ross in Accra says that with allegations of vote-rigging on both sides in an extremely tight race, there are fears violence could break out.

The stakes have been raised in these elections because of the discovery of oil, which is expected to start generating revenue in 2010.

Outgoing President John Kufuor has appealed for calm and for people to wait for the final results.

Hundreds of opposition NDC supporters have taken to the streets in the party colours of red, white, green and black to celebrate reports of Mr Atta Mills' victory.

He told his supporters: "The figures show clearly that I have won the election. I am only waiting for the electoral commissioner to declare me winner."

The Electoral Commission on Monday declared results from 200 of the 230 constituencies, which showed Mr Atta Mills leading with 52% of the vote, against 48% for Mr Akufo-Addo.

Unofficial results from privately owned radio station Joy FM say Mr Atta Mills has an unassailable lead with just one constituency still to declare its results.

But state broadcaster Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) says Mr Akufo-Addo now has a slight lead, also based on results from 229 constituencies.

GBC results had earlier put Mr Atta Mills narrowly ahead.

Mr Mac Manu said unofficial predictions that Mr Atta Mills had won were "highly speculative and premature".

Ghana is seen as one of Africa's most democratic countries and is hoping to restore the continent's faith in elections after flawed polls and violence in Kenya and Zimbabwe this year.

Some 12.5 million people were eligible to vote in the election - the fifth since the country's return to democracy in 1992.

President Kufuor is standing down having served two consecutive terms.

He defeated Mr Atta Mills in the two previous elections.

Mr Atta Mills served as vice-president under former leader Jerry Rawlings.

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NDC supporters must be sober and reflective

Ho, Dec. 30, GNA - Mr Modestus Ahiable, Volta Regional Chairman of National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday urged supporters and sympathisers of the Party to be sober and reflective as victory beckoned it in the Presidential Election Run-off.

He advised them to withhold their celebration until the official declaration of the results by Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Electoral Commissioner.

Mr Ahiable gave the advice in an interview with Ghana News Agency as the Party's supporters 'torched off' celebrations in Ho and Aflao. He said victory was no justification for misbehaviour towards others because the challenges facing the country required the contribution of every citizen.

With a few results to be announced, NDC supporters have turned Aflao into a carnival ahead of the official declaration.

Supporters of all ages took to singing and dancing as they made the Party's sign for change as motor cyclists and drivers made dangerous meandering among the jubilant crowd amidst tooting of horns. Madam Vincentia Attivor, an Aflao-based trader told GNA that Ghana was a Christian country and God would intervene when the people prayed to Him.

Mr Atchou Kuzorli, a Togolese told GNA at Aflao that outcome of the run-off was a great lesson for politicians in Africa.

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Mills takes a 52% lead in Officially Declared Results

Accra, Dec. 29, GNA - Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has bagged 4,065,883 valid votes representing 52.10 percent of 200 Constituencies officially declared by the Electoral Commission on Monday.

The Presidential Candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo polled 3,737,855 votes representing 47.90 percent. The results indicate that Prof. Mills leads in seven regions - Western region with 366,092 votes against 362,280 votes by Nana Akufo Addo; Central region, 337,533 votes for Prof Mills whilst Nana Akufo Addo had 285,945 votes.

Prof Mills leads also in the Greater Accra region with 890,293 votes against 767,428 votes by Nana Akufo Addo; Volta region, Prof Mills polled 630,899 votes, Nana Akufo Addo 102,173 votes; Northern region, Prof Mills had 485,345 votes as against 297,922 votes for Nana Akufo Addo. Prof Mills also won Upper East Region with 223,994 votes against Nana Akufo Addo's 117,477 votes and in the Upper West Region, Prof Mills had 66,014 votes as against 31,378 votes obtained by Nana Akufo-Addo. Nana Akufo-Addo won three regions; Ashanti with 927,441 votes against 364,041 votes by Prof Mills; Eastern Region, Nana Akufo-Addo had 484,856 votes against Prof. Mills 355,509 votes and Brong Ahafo Region, 360,755 votes against 346,163 votes for Prof Mills.

NR Police Command Warns Jubilants

Wild Jubilation has begun in Tamale, the Northern regional capital, following media projection of victory for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the presidential run-off held last Sunday. The Northern region has since Ghana’s return of multi-party democracy in 1992 been the stronghold of the NDC.

Though the Electoral Commission (EC) is yet to announce the final result, supporters of the NDC have taken to some parts of the streets especially in Tamale amidst tooting of motorbike horns and beckoning the “NDC change” gestures as they ride along the streets whiles others mockingly dance to the "NPP Cangaroo" dance.

Meanwhile, the Northern regional Police Command has warned against wild jubilation across the region. In an interview, DCOP Ofosu Mensah Gyeabuor, Northern Regional Police Commander urged jubilant supporters to wait patiently for the final results to be declared by the EC and stated that the police would deal accordingly with anyone who flouts the law.

He pledged the police would leave no stone unturned to ensure maximum security and peace in the area especially following reports of minor skirmishes during the elections process which took the intervention of the security to quell.

Source:
www.northernghana.com

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No room for vendetta - Mills declares

Accra, Dec. 29, GNA - Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said there would be no room for vendetta in his administration, when he is declared winner of Sunday's presidential runoff.

"As the nation waits for the official declaration by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC).the nation is now at the end of the political struggle between the two contenders - NDC and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). "What remains now is for all Ghanaians to unite to build a better nation for all, irrespective of political affiliations and ethnic backgrounds,"

Prof. Atta Mills stated during an interaction with supporters who thronged the Campaign Office at Osu in Accra to affirm their support. Prof. Atta Mills called on the supporters to remain calm as chances were high for him to be declared the winner.

"With the results so far declared the chances are that we are going to be declared winners," he added.

The former Vice President thanked God and Ghanaians for the support and said the EC had not yet finished the process of announcing the results and urged the party's supporters to be moderate in their jubilation. "In our jubilation we must avoid provocation, the victory is for all Ghanaians," Prof. Atta Mills stated.

Meanwhile, a tour of some principal streets of Accra by GNA team witnessed scores of NDC supporters pouring onto the streets to jubilate, especially at party headquarters, Osu, near the campaign office, whilst the NPP headquarters was quiet with few security personnel guarding the main gate.

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Armed Forces deny allegations

Accra, Dec. 29, GNA - The Ghana Armed Forces on Monday denied that the Military High Command had sent troops to Denu in the Volta Region to collect ballot boxes or swap them. A statement signed by Colonel E.W.K Nibo, Director, Public Relations explained that the troops were there to stabilise the situation at Denu after a request for reinforcement.

The statement said the Military High Command received reports of chaotic situation in Denu where security personnel and some party agents were allegedly chased out of their respective polling centres. "The High Command therefore authorised the dispatch of a helicopter (which was the fastest means of insertion of troops) to Denu and the remainder of the troops by road," the statement said.

The Military High Command therefore advised all media houses to be circumspect in their reports and appealed to them to crosscheck their information on military activities from authentic military sources before putting information in the public domain in order not create panic, anxiety and alarm. It further advised the public to remain calm and peaceful until the final results are announced by the Electoral Commission.

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Fake ballots found at Wa

Fake ballots thumb-printed in favour of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo were found in ballot boxes during counting in some polling stations in the Upper West Region.

The fake ballots that had the photographs of Nana Akufo-Addo and Professor Mills and their respective party symbols however looked brighter than the valid Electoral Commission ballots.

The fake ballots were also smaller in size than that of the valid EC ballot.

The fake thumb-printed ballots also had invalid stamps different from the official valid stamp from the E.C.

It took the vigilance of polling agents of the NDC to detect the fake ballots during counting at Busa Primary "B" electoral area in the Wa municipality.

The agents filed a protest and called for a recount and a rejection of the fake ballots.

A recount of the ballots at the polling station at the collation centre at the Wa Municipal Assembly hall revealed 63 of such fake ballots which were rejected.

Of the number, 52 had a fake validation stamp number EC 20371 while 11 had fake validation stamp number NEC 23927.

The validation stamp of the polling station from the EC had the number EC 20632.

Information reaching the Times also had it that four of such thumb-printed fake ballots in favour of Nana Akufo-Addo were also detected through the vigilance of NDC party agents during counting at the Veterinary polling station also in the Wa municipality.

The Upper West Regional Director of the EC, Yahaya Mahama who shook his head in disbelieve at the revelation said "I have been hearing of fake ballots but I have never seen one until today."

The situation has been a source of worry to supporters of the NDC who believe that such fake ballots could pass for valid ballots in polling stations where agents are not alert.

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Mills Leads ....

Opposition leader John Atta Mills is narrowly leading Ghana's presidential ballot, according to unofficial results collated Monday by radio and TV stations.

The influential and independent Radio Joy FM reported that Atta Mills has 50.64 percent of some 8.7 million votes counted by midday Monday. Results were outstanding from seven constituencies with nearly 340,000 voters. Joy FM gave 49.36 percent of counted votes to Nana Akufo-Addo of the ruling party.

Certified results, from only 99 of the 230 constituencies, gave Atta Mills 54.1 percent of votes to 45.9 percent for Akufo-Addo, the Africa Elections Project Ghana reported Monday afternoon. The project is an independent group monitoring the elections.

The Electoral Commission was not expected to publish final results of Sunday's runoff before Tuesday.

Atta Mills and Akufo-Addo, both aged 64 and British-educated barristers, topped a field of eight candidates but neither received more than the required 50 percent in the first round of voting on Dec. 7. They are vying to succeed President John Kufuor, who is retiring after two terms as required by law. Akufo-Addo, a 30-year veteran of Ghanaian politics, has campaigned on his party's success in driving the economy in Ghana, the world's No. 2 cocoa producer and the latest African nation to discover oil. Ghana's economy has grown by more than 6 percent annually since Akufo-Addo's party took office eight years ago. Investment has grown 20-fold and the discovery of oil is expected to boost state coffers by more than 20 percent with between $2 and $3 billion a year.

Atta Mills, an academic and tax specialist, accuses the ruling party of corruption and says that is partly why the new wealth has not trickled down to most Ghanaians, who remain among the world's poorest citizens earning an average $3.80 a day. One in 10 adults is unemployed and 40 percent of the population cannot read or write.

Voting was largely peaceful with isolated reports of violence and irregularities that are not expected to affect the outcome.

Ghana, a rare example of democracy in a region of totalitarian states, suffered back-to-back coups in the 1970s and 1980s. But after ruling for 11 years, strongman Jerry Rawlings organized elections. He won two terms, then surprised critics by surrendering power when his party's candidate lost to Kufuor in the 2000 vote. ___

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Provisional results from Central Region

Provisional Results of Sunday's 
presidential runoff from the Central Region as follows: 

Assin-south Constituency 
Runoff      Dec 7
NPP 18,735      17,741 
NDC 14,206      12,392 
Rejected 474 

Upper Denkyira-West Constituency
Runoff      Dec 7 
NPP 10,890      NPP 10,668
NDC 7,135       NDC 6,291 
Rejected 184 
 
Gomoa West Constituency,
Runoff      Dec. 7 
NPP 13,685      18,487 
NDC 20,287      13,117 
Rejected 680 
 
Gomoa East Constituency
Runoff      Dec 7
NDC:21,218      NDC 19,877
NPP 14,451      NPP 13,920.
Rejected 574. 
 
Mfantseman East Constituency
Runoff      Dec 7
NDC 12,847      NDC 12,202  
NPP 4,716       NPP 5,079
Rejected 429

Mfantseman West Constituency
Runoff     Dec 7
NDC 28,345     NDC 27,119 
NPP 20,631     NPP 19,483.
Rejected ballots 775   

Twifo-Atti-Mokwaa Constituency
Runoff     Dec. 7  
NPP 11,285  NPP 11,956   
NDC  17,048  NDC 15,356
Rejected 389  

Hemang-Lower-Denkyira Constituency
Runoff  Dec.7
NPP 10,177  NPP:9,895 
NDC 8,917   NDC:8,120
Rejected ballots 212 
 
Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa Constituency

Runoff      Dec 7
NDC 18, 170     NDC 17,302
NPP 18,629      NPP 17,950
Rejected 797  
 
Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese Constituency
Runoff     Dec 7
NDC 22,344     NDC:20, 885
NPP 14,293     NPP:13, 088
Rejected 634

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Next President To Be Known Today

Ghanaians are awaiting the final results of Sunday's presidential run-off election between the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Although the electoral commission is expected to officially declare the winner by tomorrow (Tuesday), some Ghanaians believe the final results would be known by the end of today (Monday).

Sunday's run-off election became necessary because no party won the over 50 percent minimum votes required to win the December seventh general election. Local and international observers described Sunday's run-off election as peaceful, free, fair and transparent. Ben Ephson is the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Dispatch newspaper. He tells reporter Peter Clottey that Ghanaians have always risen to the challenge in entrenching democracy in the country.

"Ghanaians are expecting the electoral commission to officially declare the election results tomorrow Tuesday. What is happening is that many media outlets, radio stations television stations the way they tend to broadcast results, by let's say 8.20 GMT hours this evening (Monday), many people would have an idea who is Ghana's next president because it is just easy to see what somebody got in December 7th and what you got in yesterday's (Sunday) run- off and the net gain or loss," Ephson noted.

He said since 1992 when the country first returned to constitutional rule Ghanaians have shown maturity in holding elections.
"I wasn't surprised (at the peaceful nature of the election). What Kenya got into, we got there 16 years ago in 1992, and Ghanaians did not resort to anything. It was a bit more peaceful than I expected. You know, the first one was so close and the difference in votes was about 102 thousand. And I think whoever wins this one the gap is still going to be still narrow so I'm surprised because I expected a bit more tension and it has gone on quite well," he said.
Ephson said both the NPP and the NDC have been trying to outmaneuver each other with their pronouncements.
"This election was like a penalty shootout. There would have to be a winner. And what they were all doing was like two boxers speaking at a press conference after the weigh in and everybody is trying to flex muscles and trying to shadow box each other. But the press has some kind of a bit wise so all allegations were not broadcast, they usually cross check them before putting them on air. The danger is that if you are interviewing somebody live, especially live on radio or television, they blurt out the allegation before you can stop them. But generally, I think that yesterday's run-off went very well," Ephson pointed out.
He said the conduct of Sunday's run-off election was as transparent and would meet both local and international standards.
"I'm sure it would be the same (free and fair). I mean even in the U.S, you have a little hitches here and there and I think in the main it is the same standards that Ghanaians have once again exhibited, fair free and transparent," he said.
Ephson said Ghanaians have been demonstrating that democracy can be peacefully practiced and entrenched across the African continent.
"I think we have clearly exhibited that Ghanaians can do it. I mean in 2000 handover was a higher benchmark of the Ghanaians ability to play by the rules. I mean here was somebody who has been in charge of eight years constitutional rule and 11 years military and for 19 years the government has been in power and they lose the run-off. I bet if it had been any other country the then government would have tried various tricks, but he (Former President Jerry John Rawlings) handed over. But I think whoever wins the other person would accept defeat and concede," Ephson noted.
He said any party that wins the presidential vote would have to be able to work with the opposition parliamentarians in order to effectively govern.
"One thing is very clear. Parliament is going to be so tight that even if Nana Akufu-Addo wins and he musters the support of the other MPS (members of parliament) he would get 115, exactly half. The NDC, from our projection would also have 115 so whoever, becomes the next president would need to reach over to the other side to get an extra vote to pass through legislation. So, parliament is going to be very exciting, governance in general," he said.
Although some political analysts believe the run-off could go either way, both Nana Addo Dankwa Akufu Addo of the ruling NPP and John Evans Atta-Mills of the main opposition National Democratic Congress claimed they would win the vote.
Election officials said voting went smoothly in the capital Accra and across the country, despite some minor hitches and disputes.
Meanwhile, some analysts say a turnout higher than the 70 percent recorded in the first round could favor the NPP's Akufo-Addo, while a lower turnout, traditional in second rounds could boost the chances of the NDC's Mills.

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EC: Count ballots with thumbprint on candidate's picture, symbol

Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - The Electoral Commission (EC) on Sunday ordered all presiding officers to accept and count ballot papers with thumbprints made either on the photograph or symbol of a candidate. In a statement signed by Mr Christian Owusu Parry, Acting Director of Public Affairs, the EC advised presiding officers "to examine the ballot papers critically where there appears to be some imprint aside of the thumbprint.

"Where it is evident that the imprint has been made by an official pressing the validating stamp too hard, the ballot must be accepted as a valid vote." It said the directives follow reports that during the December 7 polls, some presiding officers rejected some ballots on account that the thumbprints were placed either on the portrait or symbol of the candidates. "All district and returning officers are to take note and bring this directive to the attention of the presiding officers before counting commences at the end of the poll," the statement said.

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NPP says electoral process in Volta Region compromised

Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday claimed its polling agents and supporters in the Volta Region were unable to monitor the voting process and cast their ballots, and declared "our democracy is under assault". According to the NPP, its accredited polling agents in some constituencies in the region, including South Dayi, Keta, North and South Tongu, Anlo, Ave Avenor, Ho West, Central and East, and Ketu South were being refused access to polling stations to monitor the electoral process.

Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Campaign Coordinator of the NPP, told newsmen in Accra that several of their polling agents and supporters were also chased out violently, with many suffering various degrees of injuries as a result and some taking shelter in police stations. He claimed that at the few polling stations where the party had agents, they were being surrounded by people threatening further violence at the close of voting, saying, "This situation is totally unacceptable". "In these circumstances where our agents have been unable to monitor the voting process, they will not be able to endorse any declared results. He said the party had informed the EC in the morning about the situation in the affected areas in the Region, but the Commission had done nothing about their complaints, rendering the results in those

places "compromised". "The Police in the Volta Region have much to answer for already and will have more to answer for if any further injury should befall our innocent citizens going about their lawful activity," said Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey. He called on the party's supporters to defy intimidation and exercise their franchise, while urging the security services to do more to protect the integrity of the election.

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Counting of votes at some polling centres ends

Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - The counting of votes at some polling centres in Accra has ended with supporters of the winning candidates breaking into wild jubilation on the streets. At the G. Maa Temporary Booth in the Osu Alata Electoral Area of the Osu Klottey Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Professor John Evans Atta Mills of National Democratic Congress (NDC) bagged 473 votes as against 219 votes obtained by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of New Patriotic Party. Five ballots were rejected.

The Presiding Officer, Mr David Ayettey told the GNA that there were 947 names on the voter register and three on the transfer voters list bringing the total of eligible voters at the centre to 950. He said 697 people exercised their franchise. They were made up 396 females and 301 males. Observers from the Christian Council visited the centre in the course of the voting.

The Agents of the two candidates did not raise any objection after the counting of votes. There was a short argument over two of the rejected ballot papers. While the NDC Agents did not find anything wrong with them the NPP Agents insisted they should be rejected and the NDC Agents reluctantly acquiesced.

An African Union Observer Team led by Mr Mustapha Crayel of The Gambia observed the counting. He expressed satisfaction about the turn out. "This is a re-run and there appears not to be voter fatigue," he told GNA.

Voting at some 22,000 polling stations throughout the country ended officially in Sunday's presidential election runoff contest between Nana Akufo-Addo and Professor Mills at 1700 hours on Sunday. Election 2008 Presidential Runoff, considered as historic, would lead to the second uninterrupted handover of power by an elected leader to another elected leader in the country's 51-year political history. It is the fifth successive multi-party elections under the Fourth Republic. Former President Jerry Rawlings, who transformed himself from a military leader into a democratically elected president in 1992 on the ticket of the NDC, served his full two terms. His term of office ended on January 6, 2001.

President John Agyekum Kufuor, who won the presidency on the ticket of the NPP, would be the second Ghanaian elected leader to hand over to another elected leader. Seven political parties and an independent candidate contested for the single presidential slot but none of them was able to garner the more than 50 per cent of the votes needed to win the first poll held on December 7 2008, hence the runoff.

In the first round, Nana Akufo-Addo obtained 4,159,439 votes, representing 49.13 per cent of the votes while Prof. Mills garnered 4,056,634 votes, representing 47.92 per cent of the votes cast in 229 out of the 230 constituencies. The results of the Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region are outstanding.

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NDC alleges gross irregularities in run-off

Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Sunday said it had more than compelling evidence across the length and breadth of the country that all was not well with the election process, especially in the Ashanti Region and parts of the Eastern Region.

In a statement signed by Mr Alex Segbefia, Campaignn Coordinator, the NDC said for a considerable period, the party had made requests to the Electoral Commission (EC) regarding figures relating to proxy list, transfer list, absentee list and special or early voting list from the Electoral Commission, but had not received them.

"We saw an abuse of the special voting in Ashanti Region barely five days ago. Now the proxy voting is being abused," it said. "Widespread intimidation, harassment, assaults and arrests of polling agents and NDC functionaries are rife and commonplace in the Ashanti Region.

"The current position and state of affairs in Ashanti Region and parts of Eastern Region will make it difficult for figures from these Regions to be accepted by the NDC, especially since in many polling stations, our polling agents were not permitted by the electoral and security officers to participate in the vetting of voters for purposes of authentication, and many polling stations are no longer being manned by the NDC polling agents due to harassment, intimidation and assaults from NPP supporters and in some instances, security personnel."

The NDC said: "This unacceptable situation has reached alarming proportions as a number of NDC agents and supporters are either on admission in hospitals in the Ashanti Region, or are receiving treatment, with others languishing in police station cells.

"We warned the country about what the NPP was planning. Now the warning has become a reality.

"The world is watching us and currently, we are failing ourselves as Ghanaians based on developments in Ashanti and Eastern Regions."

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Ashanti Police arrest suspected ballot boxes snatchers

Asonomaso, (Ash), Dec. 28, GNA - The vigilance of the youth of Asonomaso in the Kwabre East Constituency of Ashanti, prevented the attempted snatching of ballot boxes at some polling stations in the town.

An eyewitness told the Ghana News Agency that four persons suspected to be members of ballot boxes snatching syndicate in a mini bus were arrested and handed over to the mobile police monitoring team, who whisked them away.

A police source at the Asonomaso Presby primary school polling station confirmed the incident and said the vigilance of the youth prevented any nasty incident at the station.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of several arrests by the police and other security agencies in several constituencies in the Ashanti region for alleged attempt to either snatch ballot boxes or disrupt the elections.

Superintendent Antwi Boasiako, Suame District Police commander, confirmed in an interview that about 12 persons suspected to have attempted to snatch ballot boxes are in police custody.

He said the police had also received several reports of arrest of suspected persons who are alleged to have caused electoral malpractices in the region.

In a related development, the NDC is said to be withdrawing its party agents from polling stations in the Ashanti region.

Mr Peter K Kusi, Presiding Officer for the Methodist primary school polling station at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu Juaben constituency, confirmed to the Ghana News Agency that, a lady came to the station at around 1530 hours and asked the two NDC polling agents to vacate the place.

He said the lady did not give any reason for her action but insisted that the two should accompany her.

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Two communities in Nkwanta-South boycott run-off

Kpassa, (V/R), Dec. 28, (Awumah), GNA - The Chiefs and people of Jumbo and New Agou in the Nkwanta-South constituency are not voting in the presidential run-off.

The two communities had boycotted the Presidential and Parliamentary elections of December 7 in protest against being made to be part of Nkwanta-South instead of the Nkwanta-North Constituency. Nana Laso III, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency on behalf of the two communities during the December 7 election said, they had no problem with the Presidential elections but were compelled to boycott it because it was taking place simultaneously with the parliamentary elections. Nana Laso had told the GNA that the two communities would resist any attempts to impose the elections on them.

Mr Thomas Afo-Dodoo, Nkwanta District Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) however told the GNA at Kpassa that he did not want to endanger the lives of anybody by conducting the Presidential run-off in the two communities.

Meanwhile response to voting in the Kpassa town was less enthusiastic than the December 7 election. By 1100 hours, 416 out of 960 registered voters had voted at the L.A. JHS "B" Polling Station.

At the L.A. Primary "B" Polling Station 481 out of 1216 registered voters had cast their votes shortly after 1100 hours. Mr Kwame Owusu from New Gbawe in Accra, who is the NDC Party Agent at the L.A JHS "B" Polling station, said he had accepted to be at post for the NDC in Nkwanta-North to demonstrate his support for the party. Ms Roberta Asantewaa, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) Agent from Accra at one of the polling stations in Ho told the GNA that nobody had raised any objection to her presence at the Polling station. "For now I feel comfortable", she said. The NDC had been against the bringing in of Party agents from outside the region.

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Slow voter turnout in Cape Coast, Elmina

Cape Coast, Dec.28, GNA- There was slow voter turn out at polling stations in the Cape Coast and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) constituencies in the Presidential run off.

When the GNA visited some polling stations on Sunday, the turnout was not like that of the December 7 elections, which was characterized by long and winding queues.

The queues during the run-off are short and in some polling stations, there were no queues with voters only trickling in.

When the GNA visited eight polling stations, one at Abrem-Berase and seven at Agona-Abrem, a total of 211 people had turned out to cast their ballots between 0700 hours and 0930, out of a total of 2,657 expected voters.

At Abrem -Berase where there is only one polling station, the Methodist Church Berase-west polling station, the Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, was among the 170 voters who had cast their ballots there as at 0845 hours.

He however dismissed the view that voter turn-out was slow, and told newsmen that voting has rather been quick because only two candidates are vying.

He advised asked Ghanaians to respect the democracy that is being enjoyed in the country and to help ensure the maintenance of peace during and after the election.

In the Abrem-Agona township, 153 out of 694 registered voters had cast their ballots at the Cocoa Shed polling station, while at the Worakese polling station, 81 of the 356 registered had voted.

At the council lane polling station in Elmina, where Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, the defeated Presidential Candidate of the Convention People's Party (CPP), voted at 0725 hours, 260 of the 1,471 registered had cast their ballots as at 0924 hours. The Presiding Officer, Mr Isaac Akuamoah was optimistic that more people will turn up in the afternoon.

At many of the stations there were no queues and voting was going on smoothly with security men at almost all the polling stations.

Party agents of the two contesting parties were also present at all the polling stations.

Some churches were seen holding services in Cape Coast and Elmina. The Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Samuel Tettey, told the GNA that, the exercise was going on smoothly and that he was yet to receive any major complaints.

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Election Progress  in Accra

But for a little mix-up at the Adenta Pharmacy polling station where a voters' register meant for Dome-Kwabenya was erroneously exchanged for one meant for the station, voting at the Adenta Constituency was orderly and smooth. Ms Victoria Addy, Presiding Officer, told GNA that though polls started on time, only one of the two voters' registers meant for the station was available.

Ms Addy said the second voters' register was identified as belonging to Dome-Kwabenya Constituency and so she quickly alerted Electoral Commission (EC) officials who rectified the error and brought in the second voters' register. As a result, there was a little delay for those whose names were on that register, which had recorded only nine voters as against 136 in the first register as at 0835 hrs when GNA called at the centre. Voting at the Adenta Municipal Assembly Polling Station was, however, smooth and orderly, with voters in long and tortuous but orderly queues patiently awaiting their turn. Ms. Rose Quayson, Presiding Officer, told GNA all materials arrived well in advance by 0545 hours and voting therefore took off at 0700 hrs prompt.

As at 0733 hours when GNA called there, 138 out of a total of 1,614 registered voters had cast their vote. Close by was another polling station where 56 out of a total of 1,491 registered voters had cast their vote.

Mr George Y. Asare, Presiding Officer, told GNA there were 75 voters on the voters' transfer list and 26 on the absentee voters' list. Voting at the Nkwantanang DC Primary School Polling Centre was orderly and smooth as the two queues formed were short. At one polling centre, 208 out of 1,414 registered voters had cast their vote while 216 out of 1,178 registered voters had cast their vote at the other centre, creating the impression that a lot more voters had not yet turned up.

At the St. Francis Primary School Polling Centre, there were four overly long queues to cater for the numerous voters who had thronged the centre. As at 0900 hours, 215 out of the total number of 2,879 had cast their votes, according to Mr. Issahaku Abukari, one of the Presiding Officers for the centre. Mr. Abukari said there were 22 transfers and 33 absentee voters at the centre, adding that, there had been no incident at the time of GNA's visit.

Mr. Ben Tettey, Presiding Officer at the same centre, said his register contained 2,190 voters out of which 140 had voted by 0915 when absent voters as 58. Some polling assistants told GNA no provision had been made for food and water for them but Mr Tettey said they would be relieved by another batch of officials to enable them to take their meal. Queues at the TMA Basic School in the Adenta Constituency were quite long and circuitous but voting was orderly and smooth. The Presiding Officer, Mr Charles Mireku-Asante, had little time talking to GNA as he had to get personally involved in sorting out things for the electorate who had problems locating their names and polling centres as a result of transfers they had made. minute to receive their ballot papers and cast their votes. At the Ajiringanor area and Shiashie areas in East Legon, there were virtually no queues at some of the centres and therefore voting was quite smooth and orderly.

Source:
GNA

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Voting in Presidential Election Runoff begins

Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - Voting started throughout Ghana at 0700 hours, Sunday, to elect the third President of the Fourth Republic with long queues of voters waiting patiently to cast their votes. Polling officially ends at 1700 hours. All voters in queues before 1700 hours would be allowed to vote. The security details at the polling centres are expected to join the end of the queues when it is time to ensure that nobody joins it after the close of the polls.

Counting would start at the polling centres after the last voter has cast his or her vote. The first results are expected late on Sunday night or early Monday morning. The Electoral Commission expects the result to be declared within 48 hours.

Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), told Ghana News Agency that the voting procedures remained the same. "The voting pattern is transparent and at each point of the voting process there is an identifiable glaring system, which would make it impossible for any one to cheat. "The result of any polling station where the number of votes cast would exceed the number of registered voters and those who have lawfully transferred their votes would be cancelled."

Dr Afari-Gyan urged Ghanaians, especially political party representatives, to avoid making wild allegations about imagined electoral fraud and suspicions and said the entire process would take place in the open view of the public. The EC Chairman said Presiding Officers in-charge of polling stations would inspect the ballot papers in the presence of the agents; enter the total number in a booklet; show the ballot boxes to the public to ascertain that they were empty and then place them in the open for voting.

Dr Afari-Gyan said accredited local and international observers, journalists, national and regional executive members of contesting political parties, security personnel, contesting candidates and spouses and monitors were permitted to visit the polling stations. He advised all accredited officials to wear their prescribed identification tags - exhibiting their photograph, name, organisation and mandate. Dr Afari-Gyan reiterated that accredited EC officials were responsible for the conduct of the elections and were not subject to the dictates of anybody. They should, therefore, be allowed to work without unnecessary interference from any quarters.

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