Polls have officially opened in 40,975 polling stations across the
country. According to the Electoral Commission, 18,640,811 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots to elect a
president and 276 members of Parliament.
As of 7 AM when polls opened, voters had already lined up in long queues
in anticipation of voting for their preferred candidates in what is expected to
be one of the most closely contested elections in the nation's history. However, reports of
delays in the setup of some polling stations due to logistical challenges have
raised concerns about potential disruptions as the day progresses.
A total of 12 presidential candidates are eyeing the top job and have, over
the last couple of months and weeks, been selling their policies and programs to
the millions of electorates.
For many, this will be a fierce contest between the New Patriotic Party’s presidential candidate and current President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu
Bawumia, and former President John Dramani Mahama, who is seeking a comeback on
the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.
However, this election has witnessed the emergence of two new contenders:
The New Force, led by businessman Nana Kwame Bediako, and the Movement for
Change, led by Alan Kyerematen, a former Trade Minister under the current
administration.
Other presidential candidates hoping to break the traditional two-party
dominance include Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr (Great Consolidated Popular Party), George
Twum Barima-Adu (Independent), Hassan Abdulai Ayariga (All People’s Congress),
Kofi Akpaloo (Liberal Party of Ghana), Mohammed Frimpong (National Democratic
Party), Nana Akosua Frimpomaa (Convention People’s Party), Christian Kwabena
Andrews (Ghana Union Movement), and Kofi Koranteng (Independent).
Key issues on the minds of voters include the economy as citizens
continue to pick the crumbs since the country’s economy tanked in 2022. Also on the ballot is unemployment,
with young people making up 55% of the voting population. The issue of illegal
mining has also risen in recent months, placing environmental protection among
the top issues in this election.
To be declared the winner of the presidential race, a candidate must
secure at least 50%-plus-1 of the valid votes cast in the first round. If no
candidate secures a majority, the top two candidates will contest in a run-off
election. Whichever candidate secures the most votes in the runoff is the
winner.
Polls will close at 5 PM across all voting centers, and counting will
begin immediately after.
According to the EC, the presidential results
will be declared within 72 hours after the close of polls, while parliamentary election results
will be declared immediately after ballots are counted and collated at the
constituency level.
Follow the General Elections in Ghana on Twitter @ghanaelections
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