Ghana’s electoral commission has called for peace during and after Monday’s general election.
More than 17 million Ghanaians are eligible to vote in the elections, a figure which is two million more voters compared to the 2016 general election four years ago.
Youth unemployment, security concerns and effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy are among the top issues Ghanaians will consider when voting.
11 candidates are in the race to unseat President Nana Akufo-Addo, 76, of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), who is running for his second term.
The incumbent’s main challenger is his predecessor and longtime rival, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, 62, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the former president’s widow, is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDP).
Ghana is considered as one of the most democratic countries in West Africa.
Previous elections in the West African Country had been marred by clashes instigated by vigilantes hired by politicians, however, there is some sense of relief in the country that the elections will not be marred by clashes as a law passed last year with bipartisan support banned vigilantism making it punishable by a 10-year minimum jail term.
The law has so far been a deterrence judging from events leading to the election.
The two main political parties, NPP and NDC had been guilty of hiring muscular young men with quasi-security training ostensibly to “secure the ballot.”
In 2016 Ghana’s electoral commission won applauses around the world for overseeing a competent electoral process.
The authorities are aware of this reputation and will want to ensure they meet the expectations.
The electoral commission, in a tweet, urged voters to be agents of peace.
