Ghana: Crucial run-off on Sunday

  1. Posted on Saturday 27 December 2008 - 15:15
    Dolphyne
    Image of Dolphyne
    Joseph Appiah- Dolphyne, AfricaNews editor in Accra, Ghana Photo: Photo: Africanews
    Ghana is going into a run-off come Sunday after first round of voting on December 7, could not produce a clear winner. The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) won the elections but failed to secure the constitutionally required 50% + 1 vote hence the need to for the run-off between the two leading parties.
    Ghana elections_Photo: Africanews
    In the December 7 round of voting, the ruling NPP had 4,159,439 (49.13%) of the total valid votes cast. The main opposition party the National Democratic Congress (NDC) also had 4,056,634 (47.92%) of the total valid votes cast.

    The first round of the election which was keenly contested was lauded by many international observers as being generally peaceful, fair and transparent.

    The two leading parties going into Sunday’s elections have had two weeks of campaigning to try and convince the electorates on the need to vote for them. So far there has been the blame game from both the NPP and NDC to the effect that each of them is trying to rig the elections.

    The elections are too close to call as each of the parties are poised on winning but the opposition NDC has had cause to reject the special voting held earlier this week. The special voting are meant for those who will be observing the process on voting day.

    They contend that the number of people who participated in the special voting on December 7 have doubled and in some instances even tripled in the ruling parties stronghold of the Ashanti region.

    The West Africa country has been an island of peace in a troubled region and the whole world is watching to see the outcome of the elections tomorrow.

    Meanwhile the general expectations of most Ghana’s are that the elections tomorrow will be peaceful and transparent devoid of intimidation and violence.

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