Ghana heads to the polls to elect president, MPs

By Umaru Sanda Amadu

ACCRA, Ghana

Over 15.7 million Ghanaians are standing in line in about 29,000 polling centers across the country to cast their vote in the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Polls opened at 0700GMT and are expected to close at 1700GMT.

President John Dramani Mahama of the governing National Democratic Congress party, who succeeded late President John Evans Mills in 2012, faces a stiff contest from six other candidates including the leader of the largest opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo Addo.

The 72-year-old opposition leader, Nana Akufo Addo is on his third attempt at the presidency.

Ghanaians will also elect 275 members of parliament.

At certain polling stations, voters showed up on Tuesday night before polls even opened. Some at times used objects, including stones and plastic containers, to mark their spot in line.

Other presidential candidates include former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings who represents the National Democratic Party, Ivor Greenstreet of the Convention People’s Party -- which led the country into independence in 1957 -- Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention, Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party and Jacob Osei Yeboah, running as an independent candidate.