Ghana’s quest to further affirm its status as the beacon of African democracy has been praised across the globe as its 2012 general elections came to an end on 8th December after failing to complete the elections within the specified period.The country electoral body ‘The Electoral Commission of Ghana(EC)’ introduced a new system of verification known as the bio metric system of verification which faced some shortcomings due to malfunctions with some of the machines, thus, pushing the elections to 2 days.
After 2 days of elections, Mr John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been declared winner by the chairman of the electoral commission Dr Afari Gyan within only 1 round of voting.Mr John Dramani Mahama obtained 5,574,761 representing 50.70% of the total votes cast, second place is Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) obtained 5,248,898 representing 47.74%, Paa Kwesi Nduom(PPP) obtained 64,362 votes, Dr Henry Herbert Lartey(GCPP) obtained 38,223 votes, Hassan Ayariga(PNC) obtained 24,617 votes, Michael Abu Sakara Foster(CPP) obtained 20,323 votes, Jacob Osei Yeboah(Independent) obtained 15,201 votes and Akwasi Adae Odike(UFP) obtained 8,877 votes. However, the total valid votes is 10,995,262, total rejected votes is 251,720 and total registered voters is 14158890 with a 79.43% voter turn outs representing 11,246,982 votes.
The 2012 general election has been described as generally peaceful by observers and Ghanaians alike despite petty misunderstanding between party faithfuls on the grounds of alleged rigging in certain constituencies.
Below is the press release statement of the results of the 2012 general elections for the Republic of Ghana.
Author: Selorm Nelson