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Ghana party bids to halt key vote Ghana party to boycott key vote
(about 4 hours later)
Ghana's ruling party is seeking to delay voting in a remote district that could decide the outcome of the knife-edge presidential run-off election. Ghana's ruling party is set to boycott voting in a remote district that could decide the outcome of the knife-edge presidential run-off election.
Ruling party officials say a fair vote can not be held and they will boycott the poll in Tain if it goes ahead. The ruling New Patriotic Front (NPP) has been seeking an injunction to delay Friday's voting in Tain constituency.
Tain constituency did not vote with the rest of the country on Sunday because of a problem distributing the ballots. NPP officials said the atmosphere in the rural, western district was not conducive to a free and fair election.
Tain constituency did not vote with the rest of the country last Sunday because of a problem distributing ballots.
Opposition candidate John Atta Mills has a narrow lead over the ruling party's Nana Akufo-Addo.Opposition candidate John Atta Mills has a narrow lead over the ruling party's Nana Akufo-Addo.
"We are trying to stop the election because we think the security situation on the ground is not conducive for a free and fair election," Arthur Kennedy, a spokesman for the ruling New Patriotic Front (NPP), told AFP news agency. "We are trying to stop the election because we think the security situation on the ground is not conducive for a free and fair election," NPP spokesman Arthur Kennedy told AFP news agency.
The NPP is seeking a court order to have Friday's vote in the rural, western district of Tain delayed.
Soldiers and police have been deployed across the district - the last of Ghana's 230 constituencies to vote.Soldiers and police have been deployed across the district - the last of Ghana's 230 constituencies to vote.
RIVALS AT A GLANCE JOHN ATTA MILLS (left)Age: 64Party: National Democratic CongressExecutive posts: Vice-president 1997-2000Profession: University professorHobbies: 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 Q&A: Ghana election run-offRIVALS AT A GLANCE JOHN ATTA MILLS (left)Age: 64Party: National Democratic CongressExecutive posts: Vice-president 1997-2000Profession: University professorHobbies: 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 Q&A: Ghana election run-off
The BBC's Will Ross, in Ghana's capital Accra, says Mr Akufo-Addo can not realistically win enough support among Tain's 53,000 eligible voters to overturn the lead held by Mr Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).The BBC's Will Ross, in Ghana's capital Accra, says Mr Akufo-Addo can not realistically win enough support among Tain's 53,000 eligible voters to overturn the lead held by Mr Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr Atta Mills won the area in the first round of voting on 7 December and NDC is confident of victory.Mr Atta Mills won the area in the first round of voting on 7 December and NDC is confident of victory.
He has 50.13% of the approximately nine million votes already cast compared with 49.87% for Mr Akufo-Addo, election officials have said.He has 50.13% of the approximately nine million votes already cast compared with 49.87% for Mr Akufo-Addo, election officials have said.
Just over 23,000 votes separate the two candidates.Just over 23,000 votes separate the two candidates.
Officials from the NPP have been meeting and observers of the election suggest the party is now split on whether Mr Akufo-Addo should accept defeat, says our correspondent.Officials from the NPP have been meeting and observers of the election suggest the party is now split on whether Mr Akufo-Addo should accept defeat, says our correspondent.
Both sides have claimed voting irregularities in other districts and the election commission said it would investigate them before announcing the result.Both sides have claimed voting irregularities in other districts and the election commission said it would investigate them before announcing the result.
The two men are vying to replace President John Kufour, who is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms in office.The two men are vying to replace President John Kufour, who is stepping down after serving the maximum two terms in office.
Ghana is one of Africa's most stable democracies, with peaceful handovers of power.Ghana is one of Africa's most stable democracies, with peaceful handovers of power.
But the close race, fraud allegations and the increased stakes with the discovery of oil off the coast have raised fears of possible violence.But the close race, fraud allegations and the increased stakes with the discovery of oil off the coast have raised fears of possible violence.