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Ghana opposition claims poll win Ghana opposition claims poll win
(about 2 hours later)
Opposition candidate John Atta Mills says he has won Ghana's election run-off, with official results expected to be released shortly.Opposition candidate John Atta Mills says he has won Ghana's election run-off, with official results expected to be released shortly.
"The figures show clearly that I have won the election. I am only waiting for the electoral commissioner to declare me winner," he told his supporters."The figures show clearly that I have won the election. I am only waiting for the electoral commissioner to declare me winner," he told his supporters.
Police earlier fired warning shots as large crowds converged on the election headquarters demanding the results.Police earlier fired warning shots as large crowds converged on the election headquarters demanding the results.
The governing NPP party said the result was still too close to call.The governing NPP party said the result was still too close to call.
New Patriotic Party chairman Peter Mac Manu said there had been widespread intimidation of its election agents in the Volta region and results from these areas would be challenged.New Patriotic Party chairman Peter Mac Manu said there had been widespread intimidation of its election agents in the Volta region and results from these areas would be challenged.
RIVALS AT A GLANCE JOHN ATTA MILLSAge: 64Party: National Democratic CongressExecutive posts: Vice-president 1997-2000Profession: TeacherHobbies: Hockey, swimmingFamily: Married with one childNANA AKUFO-ADDO 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-offRIVALS AT A GLANCE JOHN ATTA MILLSAge: 64Party: National Democratic CongressExecutive posts: Vice-president 1997-2000Profession: TeacherHobbies: Hockey, swimmingFamily: Married with one childNANA AKUFO-ADDO 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
NPP candidate Nana Akufo-Addo gained the most votes in the first round earlier this month but did not pass the 50% threshold needed for outright victory.NPP candidate Nana Akufo-Addo gained the most votes in the first round earlier this month but did not pass the 50% threshold needed for outright victory.
The BBC's Will Ross in Accra says that with suspicion of vote-rigging on both sides, there are fears violence could break out. The BBC's Will Ross in Accra says that with allegations of vote-rigging on both sides in an extremely tight race, there are fears violence could break out.
The stakes have been raised in these elections because of the discovery of oil, which is expected to start generating revenue in 2010.The stakes have been raised in these elections because of the discovery of oil, which is expected to start generating revenue in 2010.
Outgoing President John Kufuor has appealed for calm and for people to wait for the final results.Outgoing President John Kufuor has appealed for calm and for people to wait for the final results.
The Electoral Commission on Monday declared results from 200 of the 230 constituencies, which showed Mr Atta Mills leading with 52% of the vote, against 48% for Mr Akufo-Addo.The Electoral Commission on Monday declared results from 200 of the 230 constituencies, which showed Mr Atta Mills leading with 52% of the vote, against 48% for Mr Akufo-Addo.
Unofficial results published by local media suggest Mr Atta Mills has an unassailable lead with just a handful of constituencies still to declare their results. Unofficial results from privately owned radio station Joy FM say Mr Atta Mills has an unassailable lead with just one constituency still to declare its results.
State broadcaster Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) says Mr Atta Mills has 4,330,705 votes compared to 4,324,085 for Mr Akufo-Addo, with results declared in 226 constituencies. But state broadcaster Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) says Mr Akufo-Addo now has a slight lead, also based on results from 229 constituencies.
These figures give the candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) 50.04%, against 49.96% for the governing NPP. GBC results had earlier put Mr Atta Mills narrowly ahead.
But Mr Mac Manu said unofficial predictions that Mr Atta Mills had won were "highly speculative and premature". Mr Mac Manu said unofficial predictions that Mr Atta Mills had won were "highly speculative and premature".
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 fifth since the country's return to democracy in 1992.Some 12.5 million people were eligible to vote in the election - the fifth since the country's return to democracy in 1992.
President Kufuor is standing down having served two consecutive terms.President Kufuor is standing down having served two consecutive terms.
He defeated Mr Atta Mills in the two previous elections.He defeated Mr Atta Mills in the two previous elections.
Mr Atta Mills served as vice-president under former leader Jerry Rawlings.Mr Atta Mills served as vice-president under former leader Jerry Rawlings.