2012 Ghanaian general election

none October 2020 Ghana 2008 Ghanaian presidential election 2008 7–8 December 2012 2016 Ghanaian general election 2016 yes presidential Presidential election 79.43% John Dramani Mahama 2014 (cropped).jpg John Mahama National Democratic Congress (Ghana) Kwesi Amissah-Arthur 5,574,761 50.70% Nana Akufo-Addo at European Development Days 2017.jpg Nana Akufo-Addo Mahamudu Bawumia New Patriotic Party 5,248,898 47.74% 2012 Ghanaian presidential election (percentage by region).svg Results by region President John Mahama National Democratic Congress (Ghana) John Mahama National Democratic Congress (Ghana) yes Parliamentary election All 275 seats in Parliament 138 Nana Akufo-Addo New Patriotic Party 108 122 47.51 John Mahama National Democratic Congress (Ghana) 115 148 46.41 Samia Nkrumah Convention People's Party 1 1 0.73 Hassan Ayariga PNC 2 1 0.66 – Independents 4 3 2.50 Speaker Joyce Bamford-Addo Independent politician Edward Adjaho National Democratic Congress (Ghana) General elections were held in Ghana on Friday 7 December 2012 to elect a president and members of Parliament in 275 electoral constituencies.Regional Distribution of 275 Constituencies http://ec.gov.gh/page.php?page=484&section=50&typ=1 Electoral Commission of Ghana 8 December 2012 13 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130213053408/http://www.ec.gov.gh/page.php?page=484&section=50&typ=1 dead Owing to the breakdown of some biometric verification machines, some voters could not vote, and voting was extended to Saturday 8 December 2012.Ghana election: Voting enters second day https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20649951 BBC News 8 December 2012 8 December 2012 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.Profile of 2012 Presidential Candidates http://www.ec.gov.gh/page.php?page=495&section=45&typ=1 Electoral Commission of Ghana 24 October 2012 31 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141231205804/http://www.ec.gov.gh/page.php?page=495&section=45&typ=1 dead 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%.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20661599 BBC News Ghana election: John Mahama declared winner 10 December 2012 The opposition alleged tampering with results by the Electoral Commission (EC),http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ghana-election-idUKBRE8B809120121209 https://web.archive.org/web/20160201035021/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ghana-election-idUKBRE8B809120121209 dead 1 February 2016 Reuters Ghana's Mahama wins election, opposition cries foul 9 December 2012 and filed a petition in a 2012 Ghanaian Presidential Election 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. Preparations Biometric voters registration 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.https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/12/20111251412526848.html Pre-election in Ghana Al Jazeera 7 November 2012Compilation of Biometric Register Begins March 24 http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=227516 Ghana Home Page 28 March 2012http://politics.thinkghana.com/pages/elections/201204/57923.php Ghana Think Ghana Think 7 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20130906205324/http://politics.thinkghana.com/pages/elections/201204/57923.php 6 September 2013 dead Electoral demarcations Controversially, 45 additional constituencies were added to the 230 of the 2008 general election.Controversy Over the Creation OF 45 New Constituencies http://www.modernghana.com/news/424647/1/controversy-over-the-creation-of-45-new-constituen.html Modern Ghana 9 December 2012 Voting therefore took place in a total of 275 constituencies and 26002 polling stations. + Constituencies in 2012 Region New Constituencies in 2012 Total seats Western RegionKwesimintsim Mpohor Bodi Bia East26 Central RegionCape Coast North Gomoa Central Awutu Senya Assin Central23 Greater AccraBortianor–Ngleshie Amanfro Anyaa/ Sowutuom Trobu Ayawaso North Okaikwei Central Ablekuma West Tema Central34 Volta Akatsi North Adaklu North Dayi Krachi Nchumuru26 EasternAkuapim South Asene/Akroso/Monso Achiase Atiwa East Fanteakwa South33 AshantiObuasi East Manso Edubia Atwima Nwabiagya North Manhyia North Juaben Asante Akim North Sekyere Afram Plains Ahafo Ano South East47 Brong-Ahafo Berekum West Dormaa West Banda Pru West Sene East29 NorthernDaboya Kparibato Tatale Sagnarigu East Yunyoo31 Upper East Bolgatanga East Tempene15 Upper West Nandom11Total45 new275 Monitoring The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) trained election observers and deployed 4000 of them to monitor the elections nationwide.CODEO to deploy observers for 2012 elections https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2012/11/04/codeo-to-deploy-observers-for-2012-elections/ Ghana Business News 8 December 2012CODEO Ready To Observe Election 2012 http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/politics/artikel.php?ID=258738 Ghana Web 8 December 2012 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.Electoral Challenges Has Not Undermined Election Process—Obasanjo Observes http://www.modernghana.com/news/434914/1/electoral-challenges-has-not-undermined-election-p.html Modern Ghana 8 December 2012 Pre-election controversy There have been accusations against the media for not covering the election in a fair manner.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/ghana/9733745/Ghana-John-Mahama-declared-election-winner.html Ghana: John Mahama declared election winner 27 January 2013 London The Daily Telegraph 9 December 2012 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.https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/20127259518486684.html Ghana swears in Mahama as new president Al Jazeera 25 July 2012 10 December 2012 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.Nana Konadu's Presidential dream crashed http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=253597 Ghana Home Page 25 October 2012 18 October 2012 Presidential candidates Eight candidates were on the ballot. Party Candidate name Religion Date of birth Hometown and Region Highest Educational Qualification Institution Present or Last Employer Position Profession Marital Status People'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 Married National 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 Married Progressive 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 Married New 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 Married Convention People's Party Michael Abu Sakara Foster Christian 15 August 1958 Mankuna, Northern Region Doctor of Philosophy University of Reading Unknown Executive Director Agronomist Married United Front Party Akwasi Addai Odike Christian 13 September 1964 Adwumakase Kese, Ashanti Region 'O' Level Aduman Secondary School Odike Ventures CEO Businessman Married Independent 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 Married Great 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 Single Running mates 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. Party Candidate name Sex Profession People's National Convention Helen Sanorita Dzatugbe Matrevi F Bilingual translator National Democratic Congress Kwesi Amissah-Arthur M Economist Progressive People's Party Eva Lokko F Engineer New Patriotic Party Mahamudu Bawumia M Economist Convention People's Party Nana Akosua Frimpomaa F Social activist United Front Party Fred Osei Agyen M Agriculturist Independent Candidate Kelvin Nii Tackie M Business executive Great Consolidated Popular Party John Amekah M Retired educationist Results President John Dramani Mahama Kwesi Amissah-Arthur National Democratic Congress 5574761 Nana Akufo-Addo Mahamudu Bawumia New Patriotic Party 5248898 Paa Kwesi Nduom Eva Lokko Progressive People's Party 64362 Henry Herbert Lartey John Amekah Great Consolidated Popular Party 38223 Ayariga Hassan Helen Sanorita Dzatugbe Matrevi People's National Convention 24617 Michael Abu Sakara Foster Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Convention People's Party 20323 Jacob Osei Yeboah Kelvin Nii Tackie Independent 15201 Akwasi Addai Odike Fred Osei Agyen United Front Party 8877 251720 14158890 Electoral Commission of Ghana Parliament File:Ghana Parliament 2012.svg New Patriotic Party 5248862 122 +14 National Democratic Congress 5127671 148 +33 Progressive People's Party 182649 0 0 Convention People's Party 81009 1 0 People's National Convention 72618 1 –1 National Democratic Party 33857 0 0 Inter-Party Cooperation 15561 0 0 United Front Party 3322 0 0 Democratic People's Party 3013 0 0 New Vision Party #b784a7 1232 0 0 United Renaissance Party 980 0 0 Independent People's Party 679 0 0 Great Consolidated Popular Party 653 0 0 Yes People's Party 145 0 0 Ghana Freedom Party 77 0 0 Independents 275781 3 –1 +45 178243 15031680 https://archive.today/20130107101054/http://results.ec.gov.gh/page.php?page=531&section=51&typ=1&subs=532 Electoral Commission of Ghana Reactions 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. 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 releaseGhana election: NPP considers challenge to John Mahama win https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20671298 10 December 2012 10 December 2012 BBC News 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.Ghana opposition contender might challenge election results https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ghana-election-idUSBRE8B80EC20121210 10 December 2012 10 December 2012 Bate Felix Reuters Violent opposition was however ruled out. African Union commission chairman Thomas Yayi flew to Ghana to meet with the two men. He was also reported to have congratulated Mahama on his victory, and charged him to preside over an all-inclusive government.http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201212/98485.php Update: AU chairman to meet Nana Akufo-Addo, after meeting Mahama Joy Online 10 December 2012 10 December 2012 Essel, Issac https://web.archive.org/web/20121211200752/http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201212/98485.php 11 December 2012 dead Yayi praised the conduct and the participants of the election. In anticipation of petitions regarding the election, Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood has established two public complaints secretariats to swiftly process such concerns.https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2012/12/10/ghanas-judiciary-sets-up-complaint-secretariats-for-post-elections-petitions/ Ghana’s Judiciary sets up complaint secretariats for post elections petitions Ghana Business News 10 December 2012 10 December 2012 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".http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=259041 Leave behind era of pettiness, intolerance and negativity – Mahama urges Ghana Web 10 December 2012 10 December 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121212054339/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=259041 12 December 2012 dead Image gallery See also List of MPs elected in the 2012 Ghanaian parliamentary election References External links Ghana presidential and parliamentary elections 7 December 2012 Commonwealth Secretariat) Category:Presidential elections in Ghana Category:Parliamentary elections in Ghana Ghana General Ghana