Ghana Election 2012, From the Ballot Box · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Ghanaian voters went to the polls today, 7 December 2012, to elect a new president and parliament. The main presidential contenders are current president John Dramani Mahama representing the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Nana Akufo-Addo of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). The whole world is watching as one of Africa's most politically stable states decides its future through the ballot box. However, @ayittey reminds us:
@ayittey: @IDEGGhana Remember Josef Stalin; “It is not those who vote that count (matter) but rather those who count the votes”
Ghanaian voters waiting to cast their ballots at Trobu in the Greater Accra Constituency. Photo courtesy of Linda Anaan (used with permission).
Generally, reports from the ground show that the voting exercise has gone smoothly. However, there are tweet reports of vote selling, riots, delays, strikes and missing ballot boxes. Below is a summary of election related tweets under the hashtag #ghanaelections.
Delays:
@omgGhanaDotCom: gbogba ascension SDA polling station not voting… No election material since mornin. 3 nd half hours more. #GhanaElections #GhanaDecides
@ghanaelections: voters at the Star of the East school worried as ballot boxes are still not in #Ghanaelections @metrotvGhana
@MissOye_K: Chaos at Ablekuma North constituency. Voting has been halted. #GhanaDecides #Ghanaelections
@AngeloBenj: Snatching of #BallotBoxes here and there… Manhyia, Kentinkrono, Ablekuma, What Could account for this early Strike? #GhanaElections
@Nii_logologi: Vote selling is booming business is booming #ghanaelections #ghanadecides
@bigxghdotcom: The citizens of Nkwanta South in the Volta Region says they are not voting for lack of dev. in the area. #Ghanaelections
@omgGhanaDotCom: A tear gas shot at the Ablekuma North Constituency to deter people from creating confusion #Ghanaelections #GhanaDecides
Long queues:
@ghanaelections: Queuing begun as early as 10pm in parts of Kumasi with neighbourhood watch dog teams protecting people #ghanaelections
@MsAbenaAnnan: Queues started as early as 7pm yesterday @ Tip Toe Lane Accra 2 vote.Pple used stones 2 mark their spot & slept @ voting stations. #ghana
@MacJordan: People been queuing since 3am at polling stations, marking their spots with stones an gallons. Everyone want to vote early. #GhanaDecides
@BMarshall601: Finally voted after waiting 5 hours!#GhanaElections http://instagr.am/p/S791H9qWY3/
However, according to @Nii_logologi, voting in Tema was quicker:
@Nii_logologi: #ghanadecides #ghanaelections RT @mey3_ewuraba: took me less than 5mins…. No place lyk Tema
Arrests:
@ghanaelections: the unthinkable happened-EC officer arrested for failing to stamp ballot papers – Ashanti region #ghanaelections @VOAAfrica @joyonlineghana
@bigxghdotcom: Arrested DCE in Walewale released. Police now claim he was going to repair the machines… #GhanaDecides #GhanaElections
@ghanaelections: Ayigya EC polling officer arrested for not stamping over 200 ballots cast! #ghanaelections
#Ghanaelections: Double registrant arrested for attempting to vote in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency http://ow.ly/fUd2t
Finally, join @Africanelection and @ghanaelection on Facebook, whatsapp and BBM to share images and elections stories:
@Africanelection: send images of the elections and chat with us about #ghanaelections on whatsapp 0241995737, 0202841029 & 0244838097
@ghanaelection: we are also on facebook, you can like our page too http://ow.ly/fUdzp #Ghanaelections, join us on whatsapp and BBM 28F11BFF +23341995737