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| Ghanaians vote for new president | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| People in Ghana have begun voting in the presidential run-off after the 7 December election failed to produce an outright winner. | |
| Nana Akufo-Addo of the governing party is facing John Atta Mills of the opposition in the battle to succeed President John Kufuor. | Nana Akufo-Addo of the governing party is facing John Atta Mills of the opposition in the battle to succeed President John Kufuor. |
| Mr Addo defeated his rival by a slender margin in the first round but not by enough to avoid the run-off. | Mr Addo defeated his rival by a slender margin in the first round but not by enough to avoid the run-off. |
| The stakes are high as Ghana has just found commercial quantities of oil. | The stakes are high as Ghana has just found commercial quantities of oil. |
| The two candidates are closely matched and the campaign has been tense with electioneering incessant, the BBC's Will Ross reports from the Ghanaian capital Accra. | The two candidates are closely matched and the campaign has been tense with electioneering incessant, the BBC's Will Ross reports from the Ghanaian capital Accra. |
| Ghana has held successful elections before and has witnessed a peaceful transfer of power from one leader to another. | Ghana has held successful elections before and has witnessed a peaceful transfer of power from one leader to another. |
| However, there is a great deal of bad blood and mistrust between the two main political parties, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Mr Atta Mills, our correspondent says. | However, there is a great deal of bad blood and mistrust between the two main political parties, the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Mr Atta Mills, our correspondent says. |
| In order for this election to pass off smoothly, he adds, it is vital that it is seen as free and fair - otherwise Ghana risks losing its reputation for democracy and peaceful elections. | In order for this election to pass off smoothly, he adds, it is vital that it is seen as free and fair - otherwise Ghana risks losing its reputation for democracy and peaceful elections. |
| 'Diabolical and devious' | 'Diabolical and devious' |
| The rival sides accused each other on the eve of polls of seeking to rig the ballot through intimidation and fraud. | The rival sides accused each other on the eve of polls of seeking to rig the ballot through intimidation and fraud. |
| Mr Atta Mills told reporters that his party had in recent days unearthed "startling revelations and confessions [about poll fraud]". | Mr Atta Mills told reporters that his party had in recent days unearthed "startling revelations and confessions [about poll fraud]". |
| "There are certain developments since 7 December, which if not checked could distract from the peace and stability that we all want and could also affect the electoral process," he said. | "There are certain developments since 7 December, which if not checked could distract from the peace and stability that we all want and could also affect the electoral process," he said. |
| He said he had received disturbing reports of "macho men" being hired "to cause mayhem at polling stations". | He said he had received disturbing reports of "macho men" being hired "to cause mayhem at polling stations". |
| Mr Akufo-Addo's party accused the opposition of having embarked on a "disturbing... intimidation scheme". | Mr Akufo-Addo's party accused the opposition of having embarked on a "disturbing... intimidation scheme". |
| "In the last two days, a most diabolical and devious leaflet which seeks to inflame tribal passions and incite ethnic tensions has been in circulation," the party said in a statement, adding that two party activists had been assaulted by presumed opposition supporters. | "In the last two days, a most diabolical and devious leaflet which seeks to inflame tribal passions and incite ethnic tensions has been in circulation," the party said in a statement, adding that two party activists had been assaulted by presumed opposition supporters. |
| "As if threats, attacks and violence is not enough, the NDC, we are reliably informed, also plans to engage in massive fraud during tomorrow's voting." | "As if threats, attacks and violence is not enough, the NDC, we are reliably informed, also plans to engage in massive fraud during tomorrow's voting." |
| President Kufuor, who has to stand down having served two consecutive terms, called for a peaceful vote. | President Kufuor, who has to stand down having served two consecutive terms, called for a peaceful vote. |
| "I am appealing to all Ghanaians... we should all keep cool, go and vote, as a peaceful exercise, as a legitimate exercise," he told reporters. | "I am appealing to all Ghanaians... we should all keep cool, go and vote, as a peaceful exercise, as a legitimate exercise," he told reporters. |
| Ghana, traditionally an exporter of cocoa and gold, is preparing to start producing oil in commercial quantities from late 2010 and a major boost to the economy is anticipated. | Ghana, traditionally an exporter of cocoa and gold, is preparing to start producing oil in commercial quantities from late 2010 and a major boost to the economy is anticipated. |