THE general elections in Ghana experienced a slow start in some areas, with delays observed at the Ebony Restaurant Pig Farm One and Two Polling Units in Ayawaso Central Municipal, Accra.
At 7:15 am, polling officials were still setting up voting materials despite the scheduled start time of 7:00 am.
The two polling units, located directly opposite each other, witnessed some voters waiting patiently as electoral staff arranged materials. Unlike many African elections, Ghana does not impose restrictions on human and vehicular movements during election days. As a result, the streets around the polling units bustled with activity, with vehicles and pedestrians moving freely.
The Ayawaso Central Municipal, part of the Greater Accra Region, holds significant attention as voters turned out to decide between candidates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and other parties. This election is expected to test the government’s performance on economic recovery and governance amidst growing public scrutiny.
Ghanaians are voting today to elect the country’s next president and parliament in tightly contested elections marked by economic hardship and widespread dissatisfaction with incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration.
The presidential race features Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Dramani Mahama of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), among others.
All Ghanaians aged 18 and above are eligible to vote, with approximately 18.8 million registered voters expected to participate in the country’s ninth general election since the return to multiparty democracy in 1992, following years of military rule. Historically, voter turnout has averaged around 70 percent.
In addition to choosing a president, voters will elect representatives for 276 parliamentary seats across all constituencies. Polling stations nationwide will open at 7 a.m. local time (06:00 GMT), where voters will receive their ballot papers.
Out of 12 presidential candidates, the contest is largely seen as a two-horse race between the NPP and NDC contenders. To win outright, a candidate must secure more than half of the votes cast. If no candidate gets a majority, a runoff between the top two candidates will be held, likely a week later.
The results of the election are expected by Monday, December 10.
Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He's a good governance and decent society advocate. He's The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation's News Editor since September 2023. Contact him via email @ mfatunmole@icirnigeria.org
Nurudeen Akewushola is an investigative reporter and fact-checker with The ICIR. He believes courageous in-depth investigative reporting is the key to social justice, accountability and good governance in society. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 on Twitter.