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| Ghana examines vote fraud claims | Ghana examines vote fraud claims |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Election monitors in Ghana are investigating claims of fraud as votes in the closely-fought presidential run-off poll continue to be counted. | Election monitors in Ghana are investigating claims of fraud as votes in the closely-fought presidential run-off poll continue to be counted. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Mr Akufo-Addo narrowly beat his rival in the first round on 7 December but not by enough to avoid the run-off. | |
| 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 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 - 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. |
| 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 were eligible to vote in the election - the third since the country's return to democracy in 1992. | Some 12.5 million people were eligible to vote in the election - the third since the country's return to democracy in 1992. |
| 'Intimidation scheme' | 'Intimidation scheme' |
| 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, 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 Akufo-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. | 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. | "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. |
| "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 Addo's party accused the opposition of having embarked on a "disturbing... intimidation scheme". | Mr 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". | 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. | 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. |