The streets of the capital are virtually empty, with only a few motorists.

There are long queues of voters at most polling centres. Many people arrived a 0300 - five hours before voting began.

Enthusiasm and passion can be seen in the eyes of voters as they chat, giggle and watch the voting process with vigilance - some shout at people who attempt to by-pass the queue to vote.

Some have secured their place in the line using objects such as chickens, chairs and plastic containers to represent their position.

There have been a few hitches with voting in some polling centres starting up to three hours late prompting anxiety among the expectant voters.

The biometric system seems to be working smoothly so far, although one machine did freeze.

15.22

Radio Emashie’s Doris Kotey reports that voters are now casting their ballots. This was after delay in getting materials to the polling station as at almost midday.

The delay prompted voters to call Radio Emashie to send an sos though the station Electoral officials.

The caller said yesterday’s rainfall caused the delay. Electoral officials were quoted as saying that some of the ballot papers for Tabora Number Seven were soaked by the rain and they had to be dried this morning..

Voting is however going on smoothly.




15.16

Updates from Sandama Secondary Technical: Conduct of Elections have been very peaceful




14.29

We are updating reports sent to us live from the field and those monitored from radio and tv at our Election Centre here at AITI-KACE




14.28

President Mahama has voted in his Constituency at Bole




13.39

We are receiving reports that an under-aged voter has been arrested at the La Bethany Apostolic polling station. He was wearing the accreditation jacket used by the EC polling officials. (Verified)




12.52

Ashanti West Constituency in the Western region: voting has been smooth at several of the polling stations observed, including Akatakyie and Ahona.




12.49

Kingdom Hall, Essikado K Constituency: 683 have voted out 1081 registered voters. Voting within the constituency has been very smooth so far, with no hitches with the verification machine.




12.43

Star Clinic Polling Station in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency: reports indicate that organisation was poor. Voters are still been arranged in alphabetical order, as they refused to comply with earlier directives. 150 phage voted so far.




12.06

At noon on Election Day, the voting process appeared to have moved smoothly across the country. The reports received so far indicate that the verification system has led to a few voters being turned away because they could not be verified. Other issues included late arrival of voting materials and late EC officials.




11.23

110 people have voted at the Teach Odarley Park, in the Osu Korley Klottey Constituency. Voting is moving on smoothly. Huge queues early in the morning, but there are no queues Ay longer.




10.51

Former President Rawlings has just cast his vote In the Osu Korley Klottey Constituency.




10.47

Ho Central Constituency: voting is underway.




10.42

La Joshua Polling Centre in the La Dadekotopon Constituency: reports indicate that Verification machine has broken down. (Not verified)




10.40

At Manhyia, voting is ongoing. Joy FM reports that the expected number of EC officials have not arrived. Three are on scene instead of five officials. Reports indicate that the first 200 votes cast were not stamped with EC seal. (Not verified)




10.37

More updates from Anyaa Sowutuom Constituency. Voting materials are yet to arrive. Voters are getting impatient. EC officialspare yet to arrive at polling stations.




10.32

Reports indicate that voting is yet to commence at Anyaa in the Greater Accra region.




10.16

The First Lady Lordina Mahama is just casting her ballot in Cantonments.




10.15

Voting is ongoing smoothly at the ICGC Klagon Polling Centre in the Tema West Constituency. Polling started at 7.15.




10.00

Voting is progressing peacefully in Tema East and Tema Central.




09.59

Joy FM reports that PPP Presidential Candidate, Dr. Papa Kwasi Nduom just voted at the Elmina SSNIT.




09.52

Voting materials have finally arrived at Camp Two in Tema.




09.50

Voting is underway at Ablekuma Central Constituency. At the Lartebiokorshie polling station, there is a long queue, but voting is peaceful.




09.46

We are receiving reports of minor problems with the verification machine picking prints of voters. These are minor albeit.




09.44

Voting is moving smoothly at Apapa 1 A and B. voted started late.




09.42

Reports from our team in Takoradi indicate that polling stations around the Harbour Area and Lagos Town is peaceful. More coming soon. (Verified)




09.31

Reports from Chorkor indicate that four polling centres have been placed at an enclosed area, causing congestion. Police and EC polling officials are attempting sort out the queues. Long queues have formed. It appears the alphabetical order voting is affecting voter temperament and patience.




09.26

Joy FM reports someone dead, resulting from a motorbike driving into a pick-up vehicle in the Karaga Constituency. Voting is however calm. (Not verified)




09.18

There are reports of a little agitation at the Power Chapel area in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency. (Not verified)




09.15

Voting has been delayed at Sakumono.




09.14

Voting is underway at the Omanjor polling station in the Trobu Constituency. Everything is peaceful and process is moving on smoothly. (Verified)




09.12

Voting is underway at the Odarley Park in the Osu Klottey Constituency. Voters have been segmented in alphabetical order




09.11

Voting is underway at the Osu Mantse Palace in the Osu Klottey Constituency. There are two polling stations within the palace.




09.06

Voting at Abeadze Kyeakor MA polling station is underway. The polling a station 578 registered voters.




09.01

At the Ajumako Campus polling station in the Central Region, voting is underway. Everything appears normal. (Verified)




08.57

At Mount Zion Basic Community Three, voting is orderly and normal.




08.34

Voting has been delayed at the Kwabenya Bethel School in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency, one of the races to watch. We cannot confirm why the delay yet.




08.32

At the University of Ghana Commonwealth polling station, voting is proceeding peacefully.




08.30

Voting is underway at Mamprobi Bamboi. Reports indicate that there is a lot of police presence in the area.




08.25

At the Buako Centre 2B in Tema, ballot papers arrived late. The centre has 551 registered voters. Voting is however underway




08.23

Voting is underway at Etsi-fawomaye in the Ajumako Enyan Essiam constituency. 672 registered voters. EC polling officials expect voting to end by 12 noon.




08.19

Fire Service at Ashaiman Mandela park are stranded as a bus to convey them to their respective locations of voting has still trot made it.




08.17

Voting is underway at the Ridge exp school in Sunyani.






08.13

At La Dadekotopon, Holy House polling centre, 38 have voted. At the Neighbourhood Centre which has two stations, ballot papers arrived late. But opting is now underway.




08.10

At Teshie Camp Two, A and B, EC officials are not present although party representatives and voters are at the centre. (Verified)




08.09

In the Teshie Ledzokuku Constituency, at the Anglican JHS, EC officials have not turned up. (Verified)




08.07

Voting is underway at Kwaeikrom Mfantsiman. Aboutwentieth people in the queue so far. Voting is peaceful. The register has 298 voters. Turn out is expected to be high.




08.00

Voting is underway in New Dawhenya. Very peaceful so far




07.59

Ghana Decides can report that EC officials at polling centres are grouping voters in alphabetical. We still cannot tell for what reason exactly. It appears this is causing an upset in the the queue formation. Those early are finding themselves behind. Whatever it is, please follow instructions from EC officials.




07.56

ABURA DUNKWA : Adjumaku – Enyam Essiam District close to Mankesim – everything is calm and people are waiting their turn in queues.




07.51

In Ekwamamese in the Ajumako-Enyam-Essiam Constituency in the Central Region, voting has commenced. There are 30 people in the queue. Voting is peaceful.




07.46

Ghana Decides can report that the Electoral Officers may prohibit voters who were involved in double or multiple registrations.




07.43

A voter, Isaac Toku, has been put on a special list because he did a double registration at Prampram and Adiam. (Verified)




07.42

Our volunteers report that voting materials have arrived at the Madina A and B Primary School. (Verified)




07.41

Reports across the country suggest queues, including the use of objects such as gallons, were formed from around midnight and at dawn this morning.




07.39

A new polling station in Oforikrom reportedly has no security officer at post. Long queues have formed, but Voting has started. Oforikrom is the largest voting area in Ashanti region, with 157 polling stations.




07.37

Voting has delayed at kpong Sikamore Polling station because of increases in polling station from four to eight.




07.27

Voting at Bank in Abeadze Domenase has commenced. Three people have voted. Reports indicate twenty people are in the queue.




07.24

The polling station at the Madina Primary School A and B have not received ballot boxes, verification machines and voting paper.




07.22

Reports from Tema West indicate that none of the polling centres have voting materials

Voting has commenced in most polling stations across the country. Some voters spent the night at their respective polling stations just to exercise their franchise.

The exercise which commenced 0700GMT is expected to close at 1700GMT. However, persons who are in the queue as at 1700GMT would be allowed to cast their ballots after which polls which close.

15.37

A young man was arrested by police after being identified as a double registrant at Nkwanta in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency (Not Verified)

bio metric fail

presidential candidates

PRESS RELEASE - ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN THE QUEUE BEFORE 5:00PM ENTITTLED TO VOTE.

The Electoral Commission wishes to inform the general public especially
registered voters in polling stations where voting did not start early due to
the late arrival of election materials, that the Commission has an inbuilt
mechanism that will make it possible for all eligible voters who are in the
queue before 5:00pm to vote.

All eligible voters who are in queue before the close of polls at 5:00pm will
be offered the opportunity to vote when the poll officially closes.

The general public is entreated to be patient and allow the process to run
smoothly.

SIGNED
K. SARFO-KANTANKA
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN (OPERATIONS)

16.01

Voting material for a section of the Krowor Constituency just arrived 25 minutes ago.




16.00

Long queue at PS C100201, Omega street, Adabraka, Accra.




15.58

Extremely long lines at polling station number C10020 Church of the Lord. Omega Dr. Adabraka in Korle Klottey constituency. (Not Verified)




15.52

Lones moving quickly at UCC Science Workshop. Environment described as calm. (Not Verified)



15.50

Chiefs in Tamale are asking for a review of the verification machine which has rejected a number of voters.

15.48

Angry voters yelling at one another about biometric delays at Jamestown polling station. Quieted down once the Navy arrived (Not Verified)

Updates by Radio XYZ

Voting is underway in many polling stations across the country as the world’s focus is once again on Ghana as nearly 14 million electorate go to the polls to decide who the next President of the Republic becomes.

Also at stake, is the race for 275 seats in Parliament being contested by 1,300 candidates.

Electorates Boycott voting

Electorates at the Palace Town polling station at the Anyaa constituency are threatening to boycott the electoral process because according to them the ballot boxes have been tempered with.

The voters told Radio XYZ that the ballot boxes had been opened before they were brought to the polling station.

They also indicate that the verification machines are not working and until a new verification machine and new ballot boxes are brought they would not cast their vote.

NPP MP for the constituency, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has however urged NPP members not to vote until the verification machines are brought.

Bawumia Votes

The Vice Presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has also voted in the Walewale constituency in the Northern region.

Addressing journalists, the former deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana called on the EC to address the issues of reported breakdown of verification machines to make the process a smooth one.

Former First Lady votes

Former First Lady Ernestina Naadu Mills has just voted at the Regimanuel estate on the Spintex road.

No Ballot boxes at Krowor

Reports reaching Radio XYZ indicates that there are no ballot boxes in the Krowor constituency and voting is yet to begin in that constituency.

Developments

Nana Addo votes in the Eastern region.

The Flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has just cast his vote in the Akyem Abuakwa constituency in the Eastern region.

His presence caused a stir at the polling station as electorates gathered there wanted to catch a glimpse of him.

In his address to Ghanaians he stated his victory is in the hands of Ghanaians.

Ex President Rawlings votes

Ex President Rawlings has cast his vote at the PWD 2 polling station at the Korle Klottey constituency in the Greater Accra region.

President Rawlings waved at some of the electorates before going to cast his vote. The founder of the ruling NDC praised the Ghanaians for their composure and attitude shown towards the process.

He admonished Ghanaians to remain peaceful and ensure that the best person wins the election.

Machine breaks down

The verification machine at the Joshua polling station at the La Dade Kotokpon has broken down bringing the voting exercise to a halt. Meanwhile, the verification machine in some parts of the Adenta constituency is yet to arrive for the process to commence.

First Lady votes

The First Lady Lordina Mahama has cast her vote at Cantonments in the Greater Accra region. No need to ask who she voted for. Speaking to the media after casting her vote she added that by God's grace her husband President Mahama would win the elections one touch.

Kumasi issues

At the Ayigya constituency in Kumasi in the Ashanti region an Electoral Officer has been arrested for failing to stamp 200 ballot papers. He has been taken to the Central Police Station under the instructions of the Central Police commander.

Also a young man has been arrested for attempting to snatch a ballot box at Ala Bar in the Ashanti region. He has however been sent to the Manhyia Police station.

Boy arrested at Odododiodoo in Accra for voting twice

An electorate who tried to elude the laws governing the elections by trying to vote twice has been arrested at the Ledzorkuku constituency in Accra. Though the name of the lad has not been made public information indicates that the police have arrested the person who tried to act ‘sensibly’ at the polling center.

Presidential candidates vote

So far four Presidential candidates have cast their vote in their various constituencies.

Odike sure of victory

UFP Flagbearer Akwasi Odae Odike who cast his vote at the Kwadaso constituency stated that he is confident of winning the elections.

Hassan Ayariga says he would win one touch

Hassan Ayariga of the PNC who voted in Bawku in the Upper East region stated that says all indications shows that he is winning the election one touch. He However stated that he voted for himself contrary to claims that h was not going to vote for himself.

Nduom Jabs Mahama

PPP Flagbearer Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom who cast his vote in Elmina together with his wife condemned President Mahama for abusing incumbency and going on air on Thursday to address the nation. According to him, Ghana is not at war and there was no need for his nationwide address.

Henry Lartey calls for Peace

GCPP Flagbearer Dr. Henry Lartey however admonished Ghanaians to exercise restraint with the process and go about the elections in a peaceful manner after he cast his vote at the Korle Klottey constituency.

Tempers are also flaring in other constituencies as some of the verification machines seem to be delaying the process in many polling stations across the country.

At the Odododiodoo constituency voting has started in many of the polling stations monitored by our reporter Elvis Adjetey.

At the La Dade kpotokpon Constituency voting has begun in some polling stations but voting is yet to take off in other polling stations.

At the St. Martins De Porres polling station at the Ablekuma West Constituency, reports indicate that several people had already cast their votes but the verification machine is delaying the process.

St Benedict polling station at Ofankor, the NDC party agent was sacked by EC officials because he did not have a valid Identification.

The EC official in an interview with XYZ News stated that voting will go ahead without the NDC party agent.

At the Korle Klottey constituency voting has also started at some polling stations but voting is also yet to commence in other polling stations in the constituency.

Streets in Tamale are deserted as voters troop to polling centres to cast their votes.

At Dabokpa JHS "A" in the Tamale South Constituency, where there are 816 names in the voters' register, polling started at 0705 hours.

The Presiding officer, Mr Alhassan Dokurugu, said everything was going on well.

He said ballot papers and electoral materials had been delivered and the verification equipment was functioning well.

At Dabokpa JHS "B", which also has 816 voters in the register, voting started at 0710.

There were about 100 voters queued at each polling station when polling started.

At both centres there are two separate queues for men and women because of religious reasons, as the area is predominantly Muslim.

Updates by Joy Fm

Voting has commenced in most polling stations across the country. Some voters spent the night at their respective polling stations just to exercise their franchise.

The exercise which commenced 0700GMT is expected to close at 1700GMT. However, persons who are in the queue as at 1700GMT would be allowed to cast their ballots after which polls which close.

??

16.31

St. Martins DePorress: As at 9:05, 80 people and 84 people had been registered at the polling stations A and B respectively. The number of registered voters is 1167.

The general atmosphere was calm. However, a woman, who identified herself as Gladys Ofori, had been in the queue form 5am, were not allowed to cast their ballot because the verification machine could not capture their biometric data. The Polling Officer, Daniel Adu explained that they had been asked not to allow such persons to cast their vote.

Christian Home: At Christian home where the number expected to vote is 1138, 143 had voted as at 9:40. The atmosphere was also calm.

Voting has progressed with no hitches.

16.43

The election process in Takoradi (Airport Ridge, kwesimintsim and apremdo) electoral area have been peaceful with high turn-out. There is no queue in most places during the afternoon but people are beginning to gather at the polling station after 3:30pm for the counting.

i'm anxiously waiting for the result. Up NPP up Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo for President of Ghana

17.15

Counting of paper ballots are set to begin.

17.22

EC will be holding a press conference in some few minutes to address the issue of broken verification machines. (Not Verified)