By Edward Acquah
Accra, Dec. 7, GNA – Polls opened at 0700 hours nationwide for Ghanaians to cast their ballots to elect a next President and 276 legislators for the next four years.
18,774,159 eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots in over 40,000 polling stations across the country.
The Ghana News Agency noted that some voters had already formed queues as early as 0300 hours, eager to cast their votes.
Election materials began arriving at many polling stations by 0600 hours.
To win the presidency, a candidate must secure at least 50 percent plus one of the total valid votes casts.
In the parliamentary race, candidates need to achieve a simple majority of valid votes to win.
Twelve presidential candidates are contesting for nation’s highest office, following months of campaigning to present their policies to voters.
Analysts have predicted a close race between Ghana’s current Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, representing the New Patriotic Party, and former President John Dramani Mahama, running for the National Democratic Congress. Mahama, who lost to President Akufo-Addo in both 2016 and 2020, is seeking a comeback.
Other presidential contenders include Nana Kwame Bediako (The New Force), Alan Kyerematen (Movement for Change), 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), and Kofi Koranteng (Independent).
Once polls close at 5:00 PM, ballots will be sorted and counted openly at each polling station, and results will be recorded on the Statement of Results sheet. The winner of the parliamentary race in each constituency will be announced at the constituency collation center.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission will declare the presidential election winner after collating the results from all 16 regions. The winner will be sworn in as President on January 7, 2025.
GNA