Ghana Votes 2024: Voting underway
Ghanaians have begun voting in the much-anticipated 2024 parliamentary and presidential elections, with polling stations nationwide opening their doors to citizens eager to exercise their democratic rights.
Significance of the Election
The 2024 election sees 18,774,159 registered voters deciding the fate of 12 presidential candidates and numerous parliamentary aspirants across 276 constituencies.
Leading the presidential race are the New Patriotic Party’s Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the National Democratic Congress’ John Dramani Mahama, both seen as front runners in a highly contested poll.
Watch GraphicOnline's coverage of the election below:
Call for Peaceful Voting
As voting continues, election officials and observers have urged voters to maintain decorum and adhere to the rules governing the exercise. Security personnel have been deployed to ensure a peaceful process, with polling stations expected to close by 5 p.m.
Stay tuned for more updates (below) as Ghanaians cast their votes to shape the nation's leadership for the next four years.
5a.m.: Odododiodio queues at dawn
Graphic Online's Gertrude Ankah reports from the Odododiodio Constituency in Accra that many polling stations were filled with queues at dawn waiting for the 7 a.m. start time for voting.
In some areas, residents were seen using stones and other makeshift markers to secure their positions in what appeared to be a growing race to cast their votes first.
At least one polling station in the densely populated constituency saw the first voters arrive as early as 12 midnight with a long queue forming along the streets.
Election 2024: Trading activities ongoing at Accra central
The early turnout was fuelled by the heightened anticipation surrounding the general election, as well as local concerns about long wait times and possible delays at polling booths.
In a dramatic scene outside the ARS polling centre, voters placed stones, sticks and other objects to mark their spot in line.
Some residents explained that they had resorted to this practice after witnessing long queues in previous elections, with fears of missing their chance to vote due to congestion at the polling stations.
"We are just trying to make sure we don’t lose our place in the queue," Kofi Appiah, a shopkeeper who had been waiting in line for over an hour before the polls officially opened, said.
"Last time, I stood in line for hours and didn't get to vote. We don't want that to happen again."
Preparations Underway at Royal School Polling Station in Tema Central
Samuel Tei Adano reports that electoral officials at the Royal School Polling Station in the Tema Central Constituency were seen preparing for the elections. The officials were busy arranging materials to ensure a smooth voting process.
6.25am: Queues swell in Sekondi
In Sekondi, George Folley reports long queues forming as early as 4:30 a.m., with voters rushing to polling stations to cast their ballots.
Some voters expressed their eagerness to support their preferred candidates while others called for tolerance and patience among the electorate.
6.43 a.m.: Smooth start in Gomoa East
At the Olamoshi Islamic Academy Polling Stations A and B in Winger, Gomoa East, Samuel Duodu reports that voting materials arrived on time, enabling officials to commence the process promptly at 7 a.m.
Daniel Asiedu and Nicholas Ankrah, the presiding officers for the respective polling stations, confirmed that all materials required for the exercise were in place.
Agents of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are present to monitor the process, ensuring transparency at the stations.
7:10 a.m.: Voters show up early to cast ballots in Adenta
Reports indicate an impressive early turnout in the Adenta Constituency, where voters arrived at polling stations as early as 4:30 a.m. to cast their ballots in the ongoing parliamentary and presidential elections.
Rosalind Koramah Amoh reports that polling stations at the Adenta Community Park, the AdMA Office, the Fountain Gate Chapel, and the Adenta Police Station recorded significant numbers of early arrivals, with some voters showing up even earlier than 4:30 a.m.
Due to the high turnout and the presence of multiple voting centres at these locations, electoral officials implemented a numbering system to ensure an orderly voting process, adhering to a "first come, first to vote" arrangement.
The enthusiasm in Adenta reflects the eagerness of Ghanaians to participate in this crucial election, as voting continues smoothly nationwide. Mr Daniel Anoma was the first to cast his vote at the Adenta Community Park Polling Station Centre 3.
7.34 a.m.: Voting yet to start at New Apostolic Polling Station, Kasoa
Emmanuel Bonney reports that voting is yet to start at the New Apostolic Polling Station at Kasoa in the Central Region as electoral officials and party officials sort out electoral materials.
Meanwhile, voters have formed a queue waiting for the commencement of voting.
7.37a.m.: Arrests at Tse Addo, La
A misunderstanding erupted at the Container Polling Station in Tse Addo, within the La Dade-Kotopon Constituency, following accusations that some party agents were bussing voters from a different constituency into the area.
Justice Agbenorsi reports that the situation escalated into a near-brawl, lasting close to 40 minutes. It took the intervention of police and military personnel to restore calm.
The individuals alleged to have been bussed into the constituency were removed from the polling station. Additionally, two persons suspected of organising the bussing of these voters to the Container Polling Station have been arrested by the police.
The two who were arrested
Despite the commotion, the voting process was not disrupted and continued smoothly.
7.40 a.m.: Voting underway in Assin North Constituency
From Assin Bereku in the Assin North Constituency, Joana Kumi reports that voting has commenced smoothly.
At the Methodist DA JSS Bereku Polling Centre, voting began as scheduled.
The Presiding Officer, Mr Peterking Afari Gyamfi, confirmed that as of 7:18 a.m., 13 out of 492 registered voters had already cast their ballots.
The atmosphere at the polling centre remains calm and orderly.
7.42 a.m.: Voting underway at Moree GPRTU B Polling Station
Shirley Asiedu-Addo reports that voting commenced at 7:15 a.m. at the Moree GPRTU B Polling Station.
Presiding Officer Alex Degraft said the process has been smooth so far.
A total of 405 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots at the station.
As of 7:43 a.m., 12 persons had successfully voted.
7.50 a.m.: Delayed start at Olamoshi Islamic Academy Polling stations frustrates voters
Samuel Duodu reports from the Olamoshi Islamic Academy polling stations A & B in Winger, Gomoa East Constituency, Central Region, where 653 and 652 voters respectively are expected to cast their ballots.
Voting, scheduled to begin at 7 a.m., started at 7:30 a.m., leading to frustration among voters who had queued as early as 5 a.m.
Some of these early arrivals expressed concerns that the delay could disrupt the process.
Presiding Officer for Polling Station A, Daniel Asiedu, explained to *Graphic Online* that although voting materials arrived on time, delays in setting up pushed the start time to 7:30 a.m.
Hajia Zianabu, the first to vote at Polling Station A, shared her excitement after casting her ballot. She said she had arrived at the station at 5 a.m. to ensure she could exercise her franchise early.
7.55 a.m.: Emmanuel Bonney reports that voting just started at the New Apostolic Church Polling Station at Kasoa in the Central Region
8.10 am: First-time voters enthusiastic about casting ballots in Koforidua
Haruna Yussif Wunpini reports from Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, that more than 10 first-time voters were spotted in queues at three polling stations in the New Juaben South Constituency: Chief Butcher, Maikano, and Zango Clinic.
Awal Mohammed, a first-time voter, shared his excitement with Graphic Online after casting his ballot at the Maikano Polling Station. He said he came out early to vote for change, citing the current economic challenges facing the country.
"I know my vote will make the difference at the end of the polls and my candidate will automatically win the race," he stated.
Awal expressed confidence that his vote would positively impact his future and that of his family. "This is my first time voting, and I believe it will effect change for the betterment of my life and my family," he added.
Similarly, Cynthia Lomotey, a first-time voter at the Chief Butcher Polling Station, expressed her joy after voting. Speaking to Graphic Online, she expressed faith that God would ensure the victory of the candidate she supported.
"I'm very happy to be part of this year’s polls. Unlike last year, I could not vote because I was not yet 18," she explained.
Cynthia also hoped for a smooth and peaceful voting process. "I pray that the voting process will continue without any difficulty or misunderstanding among political party agents," she said.
8:15 a.m.: NPP flag bearer Dr Bawumia casts vote in Walewale
Mohammed Fugu reports that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has cast his vote at the Kperiga Presby Polling Station in Walewale.
He was accompanied by some government appointees, party executives and sympathisers.
8.16 a.m.: Voting progresses smoothly in Cape Coast North Constituency
Francisca Eshun reports that voting in the Cape Coast North Constituency has commenced smoothly.
According to the Presiding Officer at Montessori School Centre B, Patricia Amonoo, election materials arrived at 5:40 a.m., and voting began promptly at 7 a.m.
She indicated that, so far, four people had cast their votes out of the expected 390 voters for the day.
She also mentioned that all voters lined up in an orderly queue without any disagreements.
A voter, Ms Trudy Sampson, stated that she did not encounter any challenges with her name on the reference sheet, as the spelling was correct and the verification machine successfully recognised her fingerprints.
She expressed her hope that this year’s election would be peaceful and successful.
8.20 a.m.: Voting delayed at Kokrobite M/A Primary Centre due to ink shortage, other centres proceed as scheduled
From Augustina Tawiah in the Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro Constituency, voting has yet to start at the Kokrobite M/A Primary 3A Polling Centre as of 8:14 am due to the absence of ink.
The Electoral Commission official at the centre, Theophilus Allotey, said they arrived at the centre at 5 a.m. and completed the setup by 5:30 a.m., only to realise that they did not have ink.
He added that they informed the EC, and they were assured the ink would be brought, but it had yet to arrive.
However, voting has commenced at the other centres on the same premises.
Voting at the Oshiyie M/A Primary Centre A, Oshiyie M/A Primary Centre B, Oshiyie 2 'B' Polling Centre, and Oshiyie Filling Station 2 'A' started on time with no incidents.