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Ghanaians vote for new president Ghanaians vote for new president
(about 1 hour later)
People in Ghana have been voting peacefully in the presidential run-off, after the 7 December election failed to produce an outright winner.People in Ghana have been voting peacefully in the presidential run-off, after the 7 December election failed to produce an outright winner.
Nana Akufo-Addo of the governing party is competing against John Atta Mills of the opposition to succeed President John Kufuor, who has served two terms.Nana Akufo-Addo of the governing party is competing against John Atta Mills of the opposition to succeed President John Kufuor, who has served two terms.
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 main political parties - the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Mr Atta Mills - have 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 - have both complained about apparent efforts to rig the vote.
Ghana has held successful elections before but suspicions are high and there is a danger that, unless the people believe this process is free and fair, the country's image could be dented, says the BBC's Will Ross in Accra.Ghana has held successful elections before but suspicions are high and there is a danger that, unless the people believe this process is free and fair, the country's image could be dented, says the BBC's Will Ross in Accra.
Some 12.5 million people are eligible to vote in the election - the third since the country's return to democracy in 1992.Some 12.5 million people are eligible to vote in the election - the third since the country's return to democracy in 1992.
'Intimidation scheme''Intimidation scheme'
In Accra and across the West African state, 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, queues formed outside schools and other public buildings where polling stations were operating, guarded by armed soldiers and police.
Mr Addo, who won the first round with 49% of the vote, said he was confident of winning the second.
A big oil discovery has raised the stakes for the race "My chances are bright. I won the first round, as you know, and in principle I will be the leader in the second round.
"What is important is for the Ghanaian people to make their choice in peace, and in tranquillity," he said.
After Mr Atta-Mills cast his ballot in the capital, he said he hoped the voting would be smooth and carried out properly.After Mr Atta-Mills cast his ballot in the capital, he said he hoped the voting would be smooth and carried out properly.
A big oil discovery has raised the stakes for the race "We don't want any rigging, we don't want any cheating," he said, adding that he was "confident of winning". "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 Sunday's vote, Mr Atta Mills said he had received disturbing reports of "macho men" being hired "to cause mayhem at polling stations".On the eve of Sunday's 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".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, called for a peaceful vote. 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".
"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.