ACCRA — Ghana announced the results of its presidential election late Sunday. According to the country's electoral commission, John Dramani Mahama has won reelection. But his opponent has not conceded defeat.
Security forces with tanks and heavy artillery guarded Ghana’s electoral commission ahead of the announcement.
Electoral Chairman Kwadwo Afari-Gyan made the announcement at about 10 p.m. that John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress had won.
“The results of the 2012 presidential election are as follows: John Dramani Mahama, NDC: 5,574, 761 votes representing 50.7 percent of total valid votes cast. Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, NPP: 5,248, 898, representing 47.74 of the total valid vote cast," he said.
After reading the results of the other six candidates, who made up only 3 percent of votes, Afari-Gyan declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, based on the results given, I declare John Dramani Mahama president-elect.”
Mahama's supporters celebrated in the streets, but the mood in the capital remained calm.
International observers say the vote appeared to be transparent and peaceful, even though balloting continued into a second day on Saturday because of logistical and technical problems.
Shortly after the official announcement, the New Patriotic Party issued a statement saying that Mr. Akufo-Addo could not concede defeat because of vote-rigging by the electoral commission and the ruling party. The opposition party says it will meet on Tuesday to determine what to do next.