Tain has spoken, Ghana has decided – it’s Atta Mills

Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been declared president-elect by the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

Following what has been described as a cliffhanger elections which started December 7, 2008, through December 28 and eventually January 2, 2009 at the Tain constituency in the Brong Ahafo region, the former Vice President has become third time lucky, and he is president-elect of Ghana.

The EC Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan made the declaration Saturday morning at its offices.

Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP garnered 4,480,446 representing 49.77 per cent of the total valid votes cast.

President-elect John Evans Atta Mills polled 4,521,032 representing 50.23 per cent of the total votes cast.

Total valid votes cast was 9,001,478; rejected ballots were 92,886; and total votes cast was 9,094,364 with a voter turnout of 72.91 per cent.

The announcement sent supporters of the NDC into spontaneous celebrations across the country.

The presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo has conceded defeat and congratulated Prof. Mills. But his party has indicated its decision to challenge the outcome of the results in court.

He said, “I acknowledge the Electoral Commission’s declaration and congratulate Prof. Mills”.

The party has raised concerns on the conduct of the elections particularly in the Volta Region, where it claimed its party agents were barred from parts of that area during the elections because of violence meted to them by NDC supporters, questioning the impression created by the Electoral Commission in announcing the poll’s results.

The president-elect would be sworn into office January 7, 2009.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi