Opposition 'wins' Ghana election
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Opposition candidate John Atta Mills says he has won Ghana's election run-off, with official results expected to be released shortly reports AFP.
"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. 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.
Its candidate Nana Akufo-Addo gained the most votes in the first round earlier this month but did not pass the 50pc threshold needed for outright victory.
The stakes have been raised in these elections because of the discovery of oil, which is expected to start generating revenue in 2010.
Unofficial results published by local media show Mr Atta Mills has a narrow lead.
"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. 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.
Its candidate Nana Akufo-Addo gained the most votes in the first round earlier this month but did not pass the 50pc threshold needed for outright victory.
The stakes have been raised in these elections because of the discovery of oil, which is expected to start generating revenue in 2010.
Unofficial results published by local media show Mr Atta Mills has a narrow lead.