General elections were held in Ghana on Friday 7 December 2012 to elect a president and members of Parliament in 275 electoral constituencies.[1] Owing to the breakdown of some biometric verification machines, some voters could not vote, and voting was extended to Saturday 8 December 2012.[2] A run-off was scheduled for 28 December 2012 if no presidential candidate received an absolute majority of 50% plus one vote. Competing for presidency were incumbent president John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), his main challenger Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and six other candidates.[3]
Incumbent president John Mahama was declared winner of the presidential contest with 50.7% of the vote, just a few thousand votes over the threshold for avoiding a run-off election. Nana Akufo-Addo received 47.74%.[4] The opposition alleged tampering with results by the Electoral Commission (EC),[5] and filed a petition at the Ghanaian Supreme Court to review the election results. The NPP produced more than 11,000 so-called "pink sheets" to the judges who had to compare them to similar papers from the EC, NDC and possibly other parties. These pink sheets state the results as counted in single polling stations, before aggregating them to any higher level, such as municipality, district and region. The NPP claimed that there were differences between the results as stated immediately after their counting in polling stations, and those which were used in aggregations, and that this can be proven by the pink sheets. In a separate part of the procedure, the EC was challenged to prove that 14,000 expat Ghanaians had voted abroad, and failed to produce any registered voters in foreign countries due to, so EC, the fatal work of a virus in its computer. The election petition led to great changes in the electoral system that helped ensure a high level of transparency in the voting system and collation of the results.
Mahama was elected to a full term less than five months as president having succeeded John Atta Mills, who died suddenly in office in July 2012.[6]
The Electoral Commission of Ghana successfully held a biometric system of registration for the electorate from 24 March 2012 to 5 May 2012. The move was aimed to prevent double registration and to eliminate ghost names in the old register.[7][8][9]
Electoral demarcations
Controversially, 45 additional constituencies were added to the 230 of the 2008 general election.[10] Voting therefore took place in a total of 275 constituencies and 26002 polling stations.
Observers from ECOWAS Observer Mission led by former Nigerian president, General Olusegun Obasanjo also monitored the elections. The mission noted the technical glitches caused by faulty biometric machines but added that it had not undermined the fairness and transparency of the election.[13]
Pre-election controversy
There have been accusations against the media for not covering the election in a fair manner after a media have projected that the main opposition.[14]
Following the death of incumbent President John Atta Mills amid concerns for the election, leader of the Electoral Commission of Ghana Kwadwo Afari-Gyan said that "the election calendar remains unchanged—it's purely a party matter" and the National Democratic Congress had to decide whom to nominate as its new candidate.[6]
The main talking point following the close of nominations was the disqualification of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, leader of the newly formed National Democratic Party. This was due to errors in the documentation presented to the Electoral Commission.[15]
The following eight candidates have been approved by their parties and the Electoral Commission of Ghana as running mates of the above listed presidential candidates for the election on 7 December 2012.[16]
The non-partisan Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) all declared that the elections were, for the most part, free and fair.[17] Despite this, there were still widespread allegations of voting irregularities, though these were dismissed as unsubstantiated by the electoral commission chairman. As a result of these claims, the New Patriotic Party immediately rejected the results upon their release[17] and its candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, remarked that his party's leaders would be meeting on 11 December to consider their options, one of which is to contest the results by lodging an appeal in court.[18] Violent opposition was however ruled out.[17]
African Union commission chairman Thomas Yayi flew to Ghana to meet with the two men.[17] He was also reported to have congratulated Mahama on his victory, and charged him to preside over an all-inclusive government.[19] Yayi praised the conduct and the participants of the election.[19]
In anticipation of petitions regarding the election, Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood has established two public complaints secretariats to swiftly process such concerns.[20]
In a statement after being declared the victor, Mahama gave a reconciliatory message, saying "I wish to welcome my fellow candidates to join me now as partners in the project of nation building and of creating a better Ghana".[21]
^"Regional Distribution of 275 Constituencies". Electoral Commission of Ghana. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
^"Ghana election: Voting enters second day". BBC. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
^ ab"Profile of 2012 Presidential Candidates". Official website. Electoral Commission of Ghana. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
^"Ghana election: John Mahama declared winner". BBC News. 10 December 2012.
^"Ghana's Mahama wins election, opposition cries foul". Reuters. 9 December 2012.
^ ab"Ghana swears in Mahama as new president". Al Jazeera. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
^"Pre-election in Ghana". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^"Compilation of Biometric Register Begins March 24". General news. Ghana Home Page. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
^. Ghana Think. Archived from the original on 6 September 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
^"Controversy Over the Creation OF 45 New Constituencies". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
^"CODEO to deploy observers for 2012 elections". Ghana Business News. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
^"CODEO Ready To Observe Election 2012". Ghana Web. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
^"Electoral Challenges Has Not Undermined Election Process—Obasanjo Observes". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
^"Ghana: John Mahama declared election winner". The Daily Telegraph. London. 9 December 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
^"Nana Konadu's Presidential dream crashed". General news. Ghana Home Page. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
^"Profile of 2012 Presidential Candidates". Official website. Electoral Commission of Ghana. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
^ abcd"Ghana election: NPP considers challenge to John Mahama win". BBC News. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
^Felix, Bate (10 December 2012). "Ghana opposition contender might challenge election results". Reuters. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
^ abEssel, Issac (10 December 2012). . Joy Online. Archived from the original on 11 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
^"Ghana's Judiciary sets up complaint secretariats for post elections petitions". Ghana Business News. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
^. Ghana Web. 10 December 2012. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
External links
GHANA PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 7 December 2012 (Commonwealth Secretariat)
April 07, 2023
2012, ghanaian, general, election, general, elections, were, held, ghana, friday, december, 2012, elect, president, members, parliament, electoral, constituencies, owing, breakdown, some, biometric, verification, machines, some, voters, could, vote, voting, ex. General elections were held in Ghana on Friday 7 December 2012 to elect a president and members of Parliament in 275 electoral constituencies 1 Owing to the breakdown of some biometric verification machines some voters could not vote and voting was extended to Saturday 8 December 2012 2 A run off was scheduled for 28 December 2012 if no presidential candidate received an absolute majority of 50 plus one vote Competing for presidency were incumbent president John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress NDC his main challenger Nana Akufo Addo of the New Patriotic Party NPP and six other candidates 3 2012 Ghanaian general election 2008 7 and 8 December 2012 2016 Presidential election Nominee John Mahama Nana Akufo AddoParty NDC NPPPopular vote 5 574 761 5 248 898Percentage 50 7 47 7 Map of the presidential results President before electionJohn MahamaNDC President elect John MahamaNDCParliamentary electionAll 275 seats in the Parliament of Ghana138 seats needed for a majorityParty Leader Seats NPP Nana Akufo Addo 47 51 122 15NDC John Mahama 46 41 148 32CPP Samia Nkrumah 0 73 1 0PNC Hassan Ayariga 0 66 1 1Independents 2 50 3 1This lists parties that won seats See the complete results below Speaker before Speaker afterJoyce Bamford AddoIndependent Edward AdjahoNDCIncumbent president John Mahama was declared winner of the presidential contest with 50 7 of the vote just a few thousand votes over the threshold for avoiding a run off election Nana Akufo Addo received 47 74 4 The opposition alleged tampering with results by the Electoral Commission EC 5 and filed a petition at the Ghanaian Supreme Court to review the election results The NPP produced more than 11 000 so called pink sheets to the judges who had to compare them to similar papers from the EC NDC and possibly other parties These pink sheets state the results as counted in single polling stations before aggregating them to any higher level such as municipality district and region The NPP claimed that there were differences between the results as stated immediately after their counting in polling stations and those which were used in aggregations and that this can be proven by the pink sheets In a separate part of the procedure the EC was challenged to prove that 14 000 expat Ghanaians had voted abroad and failed to produce any registered voters in foreign countries due to so EC the fatal work of a virus in its computer The election petition led to great changes in the electoral system that helped ensure a high level of transparency in the voting system and collation of the results Mahama was elected to a full term less than five months as president having succeeded John Atta Mills who died suddenly in office in July 2012 6 Contents 1 Preparations 1 1 Biometric voters registration 1 2 Electoral demarcations 2 Monitoring 3 Pre election controversy 4 Presidential candidates 4 1 Running mates 5 Results 5 1 President 5 2 Parliament 6 Reaction 7 Image gallery 8 See also 9 References 10 External linksPreparations EditBiometric voters registration Edit The Electoral Commission of Ghana successfully held a biometric system of registration for the electorate from 24 March 2012 to 5 May 2012 The move was aimed to prevent double registration and to eliminate ghost names in the old register 7 8 9 Electoral demarcations Edit Controversially 45 additional constituencies were added to the 230 of the 2008 general election 10 Voting therefore took place in a total of 275 constituencies and 26002 polling stations Constituencies in 2012 Region New Constituencies in 2012 Total seatsWestern Region Kwesimintsim Mpohor Bodi Bia East 26Central Region Cape Coast North Gomoa Central Awutu Senya Assin Central 23Greater Accra Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro Anyaa Sowutuom Trobu Ayawaso North Okaikwei Central Ablekuma West Tema Central 34Volta Akatsi North Adaklu North Dayi Krachi Nchumuru 26Eastern Akuapim South Asene Akroso Monso Achiase Atiwa East Fanteakwa South 33Ashanti Obuasi East Manso Edubia Atwima Nwabiagya North Manhyia North Juaben Asante Akim North Sekyere Afram Plains Ahafo Ano South East 47Brong Ahafo Berekum West Dormaa West Banda Pru West Sene East 29Northern Daboya Kparibato Tatale Sagnarigu East Yunyoo 31Upper East Bolgatanga East Tempene 15Upper West Nandom 11Total 45 new 275Monitoring EditThe Coalition of Domestic Election Observers CODEO trained election observers and deployed 4000 of them to monitor the elections nationwide 11 12 Observers from ECOWAS Observer Mission led by former Nigerian president General Olusegun Obasanjo also monitored the elections The mission noted the technical glitches caused by faulty biometric machines but added that it had not undermined the fairness and transparency of the election 13 Pre election controversy EditThere have been accusations against the media for not covering the election in a fair manner after a media have projected that the main opposition 14 Following the death of incumbent President John Atta Mills amid concerns for the election leader of the Electoral Commission of Ghana Kwadwo Afari Gyan said that the election calendar remains unchanged it s purely a party matter and the National Democratic Congress had to decide whom to nominate as its new candidate 6 The main talking point following the close of nominations was the disqualification of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings leader of the newly formed National Democratic Party This was due to errors in the documentation presented to the Electoral Commission 15 Presidential candidates EditEight candidates were on the ballot 3 Party Candidate Name Religion Date of Birth Hometown and Region Highest Educational Qualification Institution Present or Last Employer Position Profession Marital StatusPeople s National Convention Hassan Ayariga Muslim 4 September 1972 Bawku Upper East Region Ex Masters in Governance and Leadership Graduate School of Governance and Leadership Clean Up Ghana Managing Director Accountancy MarriedNational Democratic Congress John Dramani Mahama Christian 29 November 1958 Bole Northern Region Post Graduate Degree University of Ghana Government of Ghana President of the Republic of Ghana Communications media MarriedProgressive People s Party Papa Kwesi Nduom Catholic 15 February 1953 Elmina Central Region PHD University of Wisconsin First National Savings and Loans Company CEO Management consultant MarriedNew Patriotic Party Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo Christian 29 March 1944 Kyebi Eastern Region Bsc Econ University of Ghana Government of Ghana Minister for Foreign Affairs Legal practitioner MarriedConvention People s Party Michael Abu Sakara Foster Christian 15 August 1958 Mankuna Northern Region Doctor of Philosophy University of Reading Unknown Executive Director Agronomist MarriedUnited Front Party Akwasi Addai Odike Christian 13 September 1964 Adwumakase Kese Ashanti Region O Level Aduman Secondary School Odike Ventures CEO Businessman MarriedIndependent Candidate Jacob Osei Yeboah Christian 28 October 1968 Atonsu Nsuta Ashanti Region MBA University of Warwick Vital Source Limited Director for West Africa Engineering consultant MarriedGreat Consolidated Popular Party Henry Herbert Lartey Christian 5 February 1954 Osu Greater Accra Region MBA Economics and Finance University of Bath Unknown Executive Director Finance agriculture and international trade SingleRunning mates Edit The following eight candidates have been approved by their parties and the Electoral Commission of Ghana as running mates of the above listed presidential candidates for the election on 7 December 2012 16 Party Candidate Name Sex ProfessionPeople s National Convention Helen Sanorita Dzatugbe Matrevi F Bilingual translatorNational Democratic Congress Kwesi Amissah Arthur M EconomistProgressive People s Party Eva Lokko F EngineerNew Patriotic Party Mahamudu Bawumia M EconomistConvention People s Party Nana Akosua Frimpomaa F Social activistUnited Front Party Fred Osei Agyen M AgriculturistIndependent Candidate Kelvin Nii Tackie M Business executiveGreat Consolidated Popular Party John Amekah M Retired educationistResults EditPresident Edit CandidateRunning matePartyVotes John Dramani MahamaKwesi Amissah ArthurNational Democratic Congress5 574 76150 70Nana Akufo AddoMahamudu BawumiaNew Patriotic Party5 248 89847 74Paa Kwesi NduomEva LokkoProgressive People s Party64 3620 59Henry Herbert LarteyJohn AmekahGreat Consolidated Popular Party38 2230 35Ayariga HassanHelen Sanorita Dzatugbe MatreviPeople s National Convention24 6170 22Michael Abu Sakara FosterNana Akosua FrimpomaaConvention People s Party20 3230 18Jacob Osei YeboahKelvin Nii TackieIndependent15 2010 14Akwasi Addai OdikeFred Osei AgyenUnited Front Party8 8770 08Total10 995 262100 00Valid votes10 995 26297 76Invalid blank votes251 7202 24Total votes11 246 982100 00Registered voters turnout14 158 89079 43Source Electoral Commission of GhanaParliament Edit PartyVotes Seats New Patriotic Party5 248 86247 51122 15National Democratic Congress5 127 67146 41148 32Progressive People s Party182 6491 6500Convention People s Party81 0090 7310People s National Convention72 6180 661 1National Democratic Party33 8570 3100Inter Party Cooperation15 5610 1400United Front Party3 3220 0300Democratic People s Party3 0130 0300New Vision Party1 2320 0100United Renaissance Party8400 0100Independent People s Party6790 0100Great Consolidated Popular Party6530 0100Yes People s Party1450 0000United Renaissance Party1400 0000Ghana Freedom Party770 0000Independents275 7812 503 1Total11 048 109100 00275 45Valid votes11 048 10998 41Invalid blank votes178 2431 59Total votes11 226 352100 00Registered voters turnout15 031 68074 68Source Electoral Commission of GhanaReaction EditThe non partisan Coalition of Domestic Election Observers CODEO the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS and the African Union AU all declared that the elections were for the most part free and fair 17 Despite this there were still widespread allegations of voting irregularities though these were dismissed as unsubstantiated by the electoral commission chairman As a result of these claims the New Patriotic Party immediately rejected the results upon their release 17 and its candidate Nana Akufo Addo remarked that his party s leaders would be meeting on 11 December to consider their options one of which is to contest the results by lodging an appeal in court 18 Violent opposition was however ruled out 17 African Union commission chairman Thomas Yayi flew to Ghana to meet with the two men 17 He was also reported to have congratulated Mahama on his victory and charged him to preside over an all inclusive government 19 Yayi praised the conduct and the participants of the election 19 In anticipation of petitions regarding the election Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood has established two public complaints secretariats to swiftly process such concerns 20 In a statement after being declared the victor Mahama gave a reconciliatory message saying I wish to welcome my fellow candidates to join me now as partners in the project of nation building and of creating a better Ghana 21 Image gallery Edit Ghanaians in voting process Voters lined up to voteSee also EditList of MPs elected in the 2012 Ghanaian parliamentary electionReferences Edit Regional Distribution of 275 Constituencies Electoral Commission of Ghana Retrieved 8 December 2012 Ghana election Voting enters second day BBC 8 December 2012 Retrieved 8 December 2012 a b Profile of 2012 Presidential Candidates Official website Electoral Commission of Ghana Retrieved 24 October 2012 Ghana election John Mahama declared winner BBC News 10 December 2012 Ghana s Mahama wins election opposition cries foul Reuters 9 December 2012 a b Ghana swears in Mahama as new president Al Jazeera 25 July 2012 Retrieved 10 December 2012 Pre election in Ghana Al Jazeera Retrieved 7 November 2012 Compilation of Biometric Register Begins March 24 General news Ghana Home Page Retrieved 28 March 2012 Ghana Think Ghana Think Archived from the original on 6 September 2013 Retrieved 7 November 2012 Controversy Over the Creation OF 45 New Constituencies Modern Ghana Retrieved 9 December 2012 CODEO to deploy observers for 2012 elections Ghana Business News Retrieved 8 December 2012 CODEO Ready To Observe Election 2012 Ghana Web Retrieved 8 December 2012 Electoral Challenges Has Not Undermined Election Process Obasanjo Observes Modern Ghana Retrieved 8 December 2012 Ghana John Mahama declared election winner The Daily Telegraph London 9 December 2012 Retrieved 27 January 2013 Nana Konadu s Presidential dream crashed General news Ghana Home Page 18 October 2012 Retrieved 25 October 2012 Profile of 2012 Presidential Candidates Official website Electoral Commission of Ghana Retrieved 14 November 2012 a b c d Ghana election NPP considers challenge to John Mahama win BBC News 10 December 2012 Retrieved 10 December 2012 Felix Bate 10 December 2012 Ghana opposition contender might challenge election results Reuters Retrieved 10 December 2012 a b Essel Issac 10 December 2012 Update AU chairman to meet Nana Akufo Addo after meeting Mahama Joy Online Archived from the original on 11 December 2012 Retrieved 10 December 2012 Ghana s Judiciary sets up complaint secretariats for post elections petitions Ghana Business News 10 December 2012 Retrieved 10 December 2012 Leave behind era of pettiness intolerance and negativity Mahama urges Ghana Web 10 December 2012 Archived from the original on 12 December 2012 Retrieved 10 December 2012 External links EditGHANA PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 7 December 2012 Commonwealth Secretariat Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2012 Ghanaian general election amp oldid 1143619764, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
