§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent parliamentary and presidential elections in Ghana. [145186]
§ Mr. HainPresidential and parliamentary elections took place in Ghana on 7 December. Opposition leader John Kufuor, New Patriotic Front Party (NPP), polled the most votes (48.44 per cent.) but failed to secure the necessary 50 per cent. vote to win the first round. Vice President John Mills of the ruling National Democratic Congress took 44.8 per cent. In parallel parliamentary elections, the NPP achieved a majority taking 97 seats against the NDC's 90 out of a total of 200. Election day was generally peaceful with a few reports of violence and little sign of electoral malpractice. Overall turnout was estimated at 60–65 per cent.
The second round run-off between Kufuor and Mills took place on 28 December. Kufuor won taking 57 per cent. of the votes cast. The atmosphere in the second round was tense. Although violent incidents occurred in some NPP dominated areas, the security forces largely behaved in a non-partisan way. The electoral process was again considered to have been free fair and transparent and to have reflected the will of the Ghanaian people.
The hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones) attended the first round of elections as an official observer.