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Ghana examines vote fraud claims Ghana examines vote fraud claims
(about 1 hour later)
Ghana poll monitors are investigating claims of fraud as partial unofficial results indicate the count from the presidential vote is too close to call. Ghana poll monitors are probing claims of fraud as partial unofficial results suggest the presidential vote count remains too close to call.
Supporters of Nana Akufo-Addo, of the governing party, and the opposition's John Atta Mills claim the other side committed vote fraud and intimidation. Local media project the opposition's John Atta Mills has a slender lead over the governing party's Nana Akufo-Addo.
There have been claims by both sides of intimidation, physical assault against polling officials and multiple voting.
Mr Akufo-Addo narrowly beat his rival in the first round on 7 December but not by enough to avoid the run-off.Mr Akufo-Addo narrowly beat his rival in the first round on 7 December but not by enough to avoid the run-off.
Local media project Mr Atta Mills has a slender lead with most votes counted. According to partial unofficial results, the opposition candidate has some 4.23m votes against 4.13m for Mr Akufo-Addo, from 213 out of a total 230 constituencies, reports privately-owned Joy FM radio.
According to partial unofficial results, the opposition candidate has some 4.21m votes against 4.04m for Mr Akufo-Addo, from 211 out of a total 230 constituencies, reports privately-owned Joy FM radio.
The final official outcome is expected on Tuesday.The final official outcome is expected on Tuesday.
Both men hope to succeed President John Kufuor, who has served two terms.Both men hope to succeed President John Kufuor, who has served two terms.
The stakes are high as Ghana has just found oil.The stakes are high as Ghana has just found oil.
The two main political parties - the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Mr Atta Mills - both complained about apparent efforts to rig the vote.The two main political parties - the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Mr Atta Mills - both complained about apparent efforts to rig the vote.
RumoursRumours
The BBC's James Afedo in Ghana's capital Accra says there have been allegations from both sides of intimidation, physical assault against polling officials and multiple voting. The BBC's Will Ross in the capital Accra says the possibility of the result being disputed is high, as there were some irregularities on polling day and both parties are claiming foul play.
RIVALS AT A GLANCE JOHN ATTA MILLS (left)Age: 64Party: National Democratic CongressExecutive posts: Vice-president 1997-2000Profession: TeacherHobbies: Hockey, swimmingFamily: Married with one childNANA AKUFO-ADDO (right)Age: 64Party: New Patriotic PartyExecutive posts: Attorney general 2001-03; foreign affairs minister 2003-07Profession: LawyerFamily: Married with five children Ghana heads for run-off nail-biterQ&A: Ghana election run-off He adds that police have noted attempts were made to snatch ballot boxes in a ruling party stronghold. RIVALS AT A GLANCE JOHN ATTA MILLS (left)Age: 64Party: National Democratic CongressExecutive posts: Vice-president 1997-2000Profession: TeacherHobbies: Hockey, swimmingFamily: Married with one childNANA AKUFO-ADDO (right)Age: 64Party: New Patriotic PartyExecutive posts: Attorney general 2001-03; foreign affairs minister 2003-07Profession: LawyerFamily: Married with five children Ghana heads for run-off nail-biterQ&A: Ghana election run-off
The ruling NPP said its polling agents were intimidated in the opposition stronghold of Volta Region.
The party's campaign chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, told the BBC:
"In these circumstances where our agents have been unable to monitor the voting process they will not be able to endorse the declared results."
The opposition has similar complaints in the governing party stronghold of the Ashanti region.
NDC officials have told the BBC that half of its polling agents there were harassed, had to flee and were not able to endorse the results.
But our correspondent says some may view this as an excuse by both sides in case the final result does not go their way and there is a danger this vote could be heading for acrimony.
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers said it would investigate dozens of cases of irregularities reported at polling stations parts of the country.
It said it was "concerned with the rising number of incidents in the run-off compared to the December 7 election," reported AFP news agency.
Ghana is seen as one of Africa's most democratic countries and is hoping to restore the continent's faith in elections after flawed polls and violence in Kenya and Zimbabwe this year.Ghana is seen as one of Africa's most democratic countries and is hoping to restore the continent's faith in elections after flawed polls and violence in Kenya and Zimbabwe this year.
Some 12.5 million people were eligible to vote in the election - the fourth since the country's return to democracy in 1992.Some 12.5 million people were eligible to vote in the election - the fourth since the country's return to democracy in 1992.
The US envoy to Africa, Jendayi Frazer, urged both parties not to spread rumours.The US envoy to Africa, Jendayi Frazer, urged both parties not to spread rumours.
"Some of the statements by the political parties' officials have been irresponsible and there are a number of rumours that have been going on that are being repeated by some of the radio stations that are associated with the parties," she said."Some of the statements by the political parties' officials have been irresponsible and there are a number of rumours that have been going on that are being repeated by some of the radio stations that are associated with the parties," she said.
In Accra and across the West African state during Sunday's vote, queues formed outside schools and other public buildings where polling stations were operating, guarded by armed soldiers and police.In Accra and across the West African state during Sunday's vote, queues formed outside schools and other public buildings where polling stations were operating, guarded by armed soldiers and police.
Mr Akufo-Addo, who won the first round with 49% of the vote, said he was confident of winning the second. Mr Akufo-Addo won the first round with 49% of the vote.
"My chances are bright. I won the first round, as you know, and in principle I will be the leader in the second round. President Kufuor, who has to stand down having served two consecutive terms, urged Ghanaians to "keep cool" on the eve of the poll.
"What is important is for the Ghanaian people to make their choice in peace, and in tranquillity," he said. Ghana, traditionally an exporter of cocoa and gold, is preparing to start producing oil from late 2010.
After Mr Atta Mills cast his ballot in the capital, he said he hoped the voting would be smooth and carried out properly.
"We don't want any rigging, we don't want any cheating," he said, adding that he was "confident of winning".
On the eve of the vote, Mr Atta Mills 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".
President Kufuor, who has to stand down having served two consecutive terms, urged Ghanaians to "keep cool" and vote "as a peaceful exercise, as a legitimate exercise".
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.