UPDATE ON GHANA ELECTIONS: ANNOUNCING PRESIDENT NEXT

BY CHRISPIN KAHERU IN GHANA

OBSERVING ELECTIONS ON BEHALF OF CCEDU UGANDA

After generally peaceful polls yesterday, 7 December, Ghanaians now await the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections.  Indicative results should be out in a few hours.  The National Collation Center (National Tally Center) is currently on a low level of activity as I write this (which is fairly understandable – it is just 6:00am in Accra).

While yesterday was generally calm and organised, a few incidents were registered:

Cases of counterfeiting EC poll agents’ accreditation cards by ruling NDC party agents;

Illegal possession of fire ammunition within confines of a polling station by (NPP) opposition party agents in Ashanti region;

Delay of arrival of materials in Jaman North Constituency, Brong Ahafo region – which almost led to the cancellation of the polls in that constituency; and

Attempts by youth groups to snatch ballot boxes in Suntreso, Ashanti region.

Despite the pre-election tensions and anxieties, security agencies acted in a coordinated manner to ensure a sense of security during the polls – especially in Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Nothern regions, which were regarded as key election flash points.

The media has for the first time in Ghana’s history of elections been allowed to do live coverage of the results as they come in at the National Collation Center in Accra.  Media houses across the country are also airing provisional results as announced at different polling stations and constituency collation centers.

Ghana EC has revealed its intentions to collaborate with other actors that are engaged in Parallel Vote Tabulation.

Ghanaians now wait with bated breath to see how this very hotly contested election (between incumbent president/NDC, John Dramani Mahama and opposition/NPP Nana Akufo Ado) turns out.