Polls have closed at the various polling stations across the country. There were pockets of violence, irregularity but largely peaceful. Counting begins. Results trickle in.

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8:11pm

Dispute at Ayawaso East

NPP polling agents are said to be disputing results at Kuba Polling station in Ayawaso East Constituency as they claim 3 extra ballot papers should be counted as over voting.

18:30

Click here for provisional results

18:00

EC Presser

The EC organises another press conference and announces that voting in the dwarf island in the Afram plains has been extended by 5 hours due to delays in the supply of electoral materials. Voting in Jaman Constituency has also been rescheduled to tomorrow.

17:30

Jaman North elections postponed

The Electoral Commissioner has postponed the elections in the Jaman North Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region to Thursday, December 8 due to some earlier discrepancies.An earlier postponement decision by the EC officials in the constituency was quashed by the Electoral Commission at the HQ They reconsidered the decision after a security meeting in the area and has approved the suspension of the voting.

17:00 

Polls close

Polls close at  29,000 polling stations across the country. Electorate gather for the sorting and counting of ballots. The results will be announced at the various polling stations and will be sent to a collation centre for collation. The 275 collation centre results will be collated in order to arrive at the results for the presidential elections which will be announced by EC Chair person Charlotte Osei  

16:50 

West East EC officials kidnapped and beaten

Rafiq Salam is reporting that the Wa East EC official has been kidnapped and beaten by persons suspected to be NPP. He has been treated and discharged by authorities at the Wa hospital. He was allegedly beaten and locked at the Npp UW headquarters, Rafiq reports.

16:20

Nsawam Prison

Ex-convicts from the Nsawam prison have returned 'home' [Nsawam prison] to vote Seth Kwame Boateng reports. He says turn out has plummeted with few minutes left to vote. The ex-convicts traveled from other regions to come and vote and go back to their homes.

16:05

Jirapa

The NDC candidate for Jirapa Bawa Naa Dakura is accusing his main contender, the incumbent, an independent candidate of bribing EC officials at the constituency Jirapa. The EC official have refused to comment on the bribery matter. There is also a case of shortage of manual verification forms for several hours, something Dakura claims is part of the plot to shortchange him.

15:55

Anlo low turnout

Two of the island communities in Anlo have low turnout in today's election. The people tell Ivy Setordzie they are unhappy with the state of affairs in the island. The area has suffered multiple cases of tidal waves which have destroyed properties in the area. The residents are not in a mood to vote.

15:50

Old Tafo arrest

Man arrested in Old Tafo for double voting. He is police custody. The two ballot papers he was wielding are still with him Mohammed Nurudeen reports. He went through the process, took a ballot from the presiding officer but when he went into the booth, he dipped his hand into his pocket for another ballot paper to double vote but was arrested. He is in police custody.

15:00

Arrest of Macho men

Some five well-built men have been arrested by Police in Tema for allegedly intimidating voters. The men were said to have been brought by an unnamed parliamentary candidate to police the ballot and to help in the counting. Tema Police PRO ASP Juliana Obeng denied reports the men attempted to snatch a ballot box. She says the men were too close to the polling area and were disrupting the election process.

14:45

Military assault of NPP official

Former Agona West chairman of NPP is reported to have been assaulted by the military.  He has since been treated at the Swedru government hospital and discharged. 

14:35

EC Presser

The Electoral Commission has dismissed reports of the suspension of voting in a polling station at Jaman North. A directive has thus been issued to EC officials in the constituency to resume voting. Local EC officials and party agents in the constituency by consensus decided to reschedule voting to tomorrow after there were discrepancies in the voter's list. But the Director of Communication at the EC Eric Dzakpasu says only the Returning officer, the EC chair can order the suspension of voting. Elections have since resumed 

14:30

Ballot box snatchers

Police in Nhyaeso arrest two men who attempted to snatch a ballot box at a polling station. The two successfully picked the box and bolted with it into a house. But for the vigilance of the youth who mounted a chase and retrieved the box, the two would have bolted with it. 

13:25

Bekwai EC official Arrest

An official of the EC supervising the election in the Bekwai Constituency in the Ashanti Region has been picked up for allegedly engaging in acts of fraud. She is said to have deliberately given out unstamped ballot papers to unsuspecting voters and handed percieved NDC supporters more than one ballot papers to vote.

13:20

Ablekuma South irregularity

There is confusion in Ablekuma South where supporters of the NDC are allegedly holding electoral materials and intimidating perceived supporters of the NPP.

According to some of the NPP supporters when the electoral officials realise that the prospective voter has an Akan name, the voter will be told his name is not on the list and turned away. A police man who had in his custody some of the electoral materials claimed he was heckled and the evidence taken away from.

12:55

Jaman North

In Gyaman North in the Brong Ahafo Region there is an allegation of a bloated voter's register list which has delayed election there. Instead of some 500 voters on the list the figure has shot up by over 30. The NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia is present at the constituency. There is a meeting between stakeholders to have the matter resolved

12:50

Barcodes destruction at Bantama

Voting on hold at MFU Office, Abrepo Junction as confusion breaks over destruction of Barcodes for voters verified by BVM. Every voter verified has his or her bar code destroyed. However Ohemeng Tawiah reports that about 300 voters who came to vote still have these bar codes still active. The NDC Parliamentary Candidate is raising suspicion that the EC is attempting to encourage double registration. The process is halted for a while to have the bar codes destroyed before the process continued.

12:20

IGP impressed at Ashaiman

IGP is impressed with events so far in Ashaiman. He says it's one of the best. The police he maintains have considered all the scenarios and have taken strategic decisions. Ashaiman constituency is  believed to be a hotspot but has been peaceful thus far. IGP applauds the security and the electorate for going about the election in a peaceful manner.

12:17

Arrest in Kyebi

Five persons have been arrested in Kyebi in the Eastern Region for allegedly thumb printing the Parliamentary ballot papers of the NDC candidate. It is not clear yet if the ballots are authentic or fake ballot papers or what the suspects intended to use the papers for. They are currently in police custody, Elton John Brobbey reports

12:15

EC Presser

The Electoral Commission organises a press conference addressed by Samuel Tettey, Director of Elections.  He admits to certain challenges he describes as irregularities in the ongoing election including elections not opening on time, In some cases, election materials were inadvertently not sent. If critical materials fails to get to the polling station on time it is worrying. There are people who still have not found their names on the voters list. Some of the affected persons who were given two opportunities to vote but could not, may have failed to take advantage of the exhibition exercise. He recounts reports from Gyamang North where voting has been held up. There are also reports of wrong bar codes for voters. He explains that all who applied for special voters were to have their bar codes deactivate. Unfortunately some EC officials mistakenly deactivitated the bar codes of other voters. Extra measures have been taken to ensure that such victims of wrong deactivation will have the opportunity to vote.

12:00

Manhyia

The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II casts his ballot in his royal kingdom. He is guided through the process until he dips his hand into the ballot box. Who did he vote for?

11: 50

Kufuor votes

Ex-president John Kufuor has cast his ballot at the Ayawaso West polling station in Accra. Mr Kufuor wants peace and prays the people he voted for will win. 

11:31

President, Veep vote

Vice president Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur just cast his vote at Accra High polling station.

11:30

Savelugu

Soldiers lash market women

Some soldiers reportedly lash a crowd of market women in a polling station at Savelugu in the Northern Region after misunderstanding over queues ensued. The police man overseeing the station could not handle the pressure and calls for military reinforcement. The only way, perhaps for the military to ensure order is to lash and they did that.

11:19

Ningo- Prampram

Kwetey Nartey reports of a contest of numbers between electorate and the Police. The security decide to increase their men at the Presby basic school polling station in Prampram following the massing up of voters there. The police are anticipating something untoward and are strategising to avert it.

11:00

Cape Coast

A little confusion in Cape Coast as ballot boxes sent to the University of Cape Coast auditorium are without the NPP seals. Polling agents raise protest. Authorities intervene as order is restored. A total of 1.4 million voters expected in the Central Region. It is a swing region.

10:48

Nduom votes

At the KEEA, constituency another flagbearer Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom votes. Together with his wife Yvonne Nduom, the entrepreneur and aspiring  president cast his ballot.

10:38

Rawlings votes

Latif Iddris reports that ex-President John Rawlings arrives at the polling station at Klottey Korle in the company of a big crowd. He gets ready to vote. He gets verified and casts his ballot. Latif asks Rawlings who he voted for, he responds "my vote is a secret and I won't share". Asked if he was confident of an NDC victory he won't say except to add God will deliver.

10:36

Kyebi, Akufo-Addo votes

Nana Akufo-Addo gets ready to vote in Kyebi, his home in the Eastern Region. He votes with his wife Rebecca Akufo-Addo. He prays this is the vote that will finally send him to the Flagstaff House. Elton reports him as saying he is satisfied with the process so far and hopes it will continue to be transparent.

10:35

Kintampo North

Nana Yaa reports that man, 50, dies after casting ballot. It is not clear what may have happened. His family is wailing.

10:07

KEEA Constituency (Waterways A&B)

Only Akufo-Addo's face or no vote

Interesting drama as woman tears her ballot, demands she wants only the picture of the NPP flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo on it. It is only Nana Addo or I won't vote, she says. EC officials appeal to her to vote without tearing the ballot. She insists on doing so. She finally walks out of the voting area without voting

10:05

Nsawam

Seth Kwame Boateng reports prisoners at the Nsawam and James town prison are busy casting their ballot. The Female session at the Nsawam Prison has ended. Some 68 inmates have voted already. An inmate, Emmanuel Kissi, a prisoner for 12 months has just cast his ballot. He says they could not wait for the opportunity to cast their ballot. He calls for peace.

10:05

Bekwai Constituency - Wiasso polling station

Voting delayed and has just commenced because of the late arrival of electoral materials. Joy News reports voters have heaved a sigh of relief at the start of voting.

9:55

Suame

Voting has started. The EC officials came without an indelible ink. A police officer is reported to have brought an ink from his car to be used but the agents raise protest. The EC officials later brings an indelible ink  and voting has started.

9:44

Weija-Gbawe

At a polling station in the Weija-Gbawe Constituency, paramedics are currently attending to some EC officials who complained of headache. They do need urgent attention. It certainly will be a long day today. 

9:40

Klottey Korle in Accra

Some persons on the Special Voting list were turned away because they couldn't find their names in the list. Two other military who could not find their names on the special voters list were lucky enough to find their names on the register proper and have voted.

9:38

Ablekuma West - Gbegbe polling station

An aggrieved woman resists attempts to have other voters jump the queue at Gbegbe polling station in the Ablekuma West Constituency. Joy News' Benedict Owusu who is in the area reports that there are as many as eight queues formed for people to cast their ballot. A polling agent discloses the skirmishes erupted as a result of miscommunication on the part of Electoral Commission officials.

9:35

Upper East Swap of presidential and parliamentary

At the Soe primary school Bolga central, Emmanuel Aboagye reports of an interesting swap in the votes. The electorate put the presidential ballot papers in the parliamentary ballot box  and vice versa. More than one hundred people cast their ballot before it is detected. The EC officials then decide to change the boxes to solve the anomaly

9:25

Dome Kwabenya-Church of Pentecost Polling Station.

Electorate are raising protest over discrepancy in the Voter ID codes and the polling station codes. They want the discrepancy to be resolved. Maxwell Agbagba reports that the presiding officer cannot say which one is the correct one to be used. He wants to consult the returning officer who is expected in the polling station. 

8:49

Upper East: Chiana Paga

An initial confusion over the creation of A and B blocks has been resolved and voting has started smoothly in the constituency, Joy News’ Achagetune Vitus reports.

8:44

Chief of Defence Staff casts ballot

The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Sampson Michael-Oje has cast his ballot at the Burma Hall centre in the La Dadekotopon constituency.

8:42

Eastern region, New Juaben: Polling Station B

An earlier confusion over the positioning of the ballot screen has been resolved. It took the intervention of a joint police and military patrol team to resolve the situation, Maxwel Kudekor reports.

8:42am

Weija-Gbawe

Police moved swiftly to quell agitating electorates who could not find their names on at their polling station. Problem was resolved. Voting process has resumed smoothly.

8:10am

Ayawaso West Wuogon

Misunderstanding over the number of party agents who can sit behind the EC table at the Legon Hall 3B polling station in Ayawaso West Wuogon . Voting has not started, as a result, reports Myjoyonline.com's Patricia Asiedua Akuffo.

7:50am

Volta Region

Joy News' Volta Region Correspondent, Ivy Setordjie, speaks to voters who have cast their ballot and are excited.

7:00am

Voting starts at some polling stations

Voting has begun at most polling stations across the country although the event has been marked by setbacks at other centres.

Cape Coast

At the Papa House polling station at the KEEA Constituency in Cape Coast, a ballot box that had an inscription “Election 2012” created some agitation among electorates. The voters raised concern about the wrong inscription, suggesting it could compromise the election results. They requested the EC to change the boxes or remove the wrong inscription. EC officials resolved not to use those ballot boxes, reports Joseph Ackah-Blay. Voting has started at the polling station.

Ashanti Region

Voting delayed at Bantama Sub-metro Office B polling centre because of a cracked presidential ballot box.

Election materials arrive at polling stations, long queues form

Officials of the Electoral Commission have begun setting up for today's polls.

6:43am

Volta Region

With less than 20 minutes to start of polls

Electoral officers take stock of voting materials

6:15am

At the Katamanso Presby JHS polling station: EC officials setting up. Scores queue to vote.

6:05am

Long queues begin to form one hour to the start of voting. The image below is from the Asawse polling station in Kumasi, the Ashanti Region capital.

Below are some images from polling stations at Weija-Gbawe Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

With about 5 hours to go for voting to begin at 7:00 some anxious Ghanaians are keeping vigil and forming queues to be the first cast their ballot on Wednesday. The voters have formed the queue with chairs, stones, and any object they could lay hands on.

Hours before the elections

In few hours some 15 million Ghanaians will go to the polls to elect one out of 7 presidential candidates, and 275 parliamentarians. Queues started forming as early as 9:00pm Tuesday for an election set for Wednesday 7:00am.

Turnout is likely to be high. Pockets violence are also likely to strike at key hotspots but the polls will largely be peaceful.

There will be allegations and counter allegations particularly from the two front runners in the election- John Mahama of the NDC and Nana Akufo-Addo of the NPP.

There is likely be shortage of voter materials or delays in bringing them to the polling centre. There will be announcement of polling station and collation center results and a declaration of the president elect by the Electoral Commissioner Mrs Charlotte Osei. For all the twists, the turns, your best bet for an unparalleled coverage is Myjoyonline.com, your election HQ. We will give you news first and satisfy your anxiety with the trademark call of the election.  You don't want miss that.