Polling stations close as Ghana awaits results of 2024 General Election

Polling stations across most parts of Ghana have officially closed, marking the end of a tense and closely monitored election day.  

With voters having cast their ballots, the focus now shifts to sorting and counting as the nation eagerly anticipates the results of the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.  

Despite some minor logistical challenges and occasional tensions at certain polling stations, the overall voting process was relatively smooth. The Electoral Commission (EC) had earlier assured the public that robust measures were in place to ensure a free and fair election, with security forces deployed strategically to maintain peace.  

As ballots are sorted and counted, attention is turning to the final tally. Early results are expected to trickle in, though the counting process could take several hours as votes from the 276 constituencies across the country are processed. The EC has committed to ensuring transparency and accuracy throughout the exercise, although concerns about potential delays and disputes remain.  

The two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have expressed confidence in their chances. Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP and former President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC are vying for victory in what is expected to be a tight race.  

This election is regarded as pivotal not only for Ghana's political landscape but also for preserving its reputation as one of West Africa's most stable democracies.  

The counting phase is under intense scrutiny from both domestic and international observers. Political parties and civil society organisations have called for maximum transparency. While election monitors have reported a generally smooth voting process, isolated incidents of alleged misconduct, such as vote-buying and violence at certain polling stations, have raised concerns about the integrity of the election.  

The EC has pledged to release provisional results as soon as possible, but it remains unclear how long it will take to count and verify all votes. Meanwhile, the two leading political parties are bracing for what promises to be a fiercely contested outcome, with both sides prepared to challenge any perceived discrepancies in the final count.  

As counting progresses, Ghanaians wait anxiously for the results of an election that will not only determine the country's next president but also shape its governance trajectory for the next four years.