Tensions rise ahead of Ghana vote

The Ghanaian army and police are moving to prevent conditions that could lead to mob violence as voters prepare to elect a new president and parliament, press reports said Friday.

With voter surveys showing margins narrowing between the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), particularly in the presidential race, the security forces met Thursday to review the situation, the state-owned Daily Graphic reported.

Opinion polls are showing that the gap is narrowing between frontrunner John Atta Mills, the protege of popular outgoing President Jerry Rawlings, and his main challenger, the NPP's John Kufuor.

The army and police issued a joint statement warning of possible mob violence before, during and after the vote and vowing to take necessary precautions.

The reports said they have planned meetings to discuss security with all seven political parties contesting the vote and the Electoral Commission, citing confusion over voter eligibility, concern over bloated electoral rolls and allegations that minors have been allowed to register.

Another concern is that indelible ink brought in from India could be rendered ineffective with a prior application of grease.

However, Electoral Commission Chairman Kwadwo Afari Gyan, reached by telephone in the central city of Kumasi, said he was unaware of the planned meeting.

"There is no particular need for special security measures," Afari Gyan told AFP.

Support for the NDC is thought to be eroding, largely because of Atta Mills' lack of charisma -- especially next to Rawlings, practically a cult figure here -- and a rising tide in favor of a third candidate, Goosie Tanoh of the National Reform Party (NRP).

The NRP is a breakaway formation of Rawlings' NDC, which he formed in 1992 to contest, and win, democratic elections after relinquishing his 11-year military leadership.

At a massively attended NPP rally on Friday, Kwamena Bartels, the shadow housing minister, did not discount the possibility of election violence, alleging that the NDC had "already started" moves to intimidate voters to ensure victory.

Bartels, wearing a red, white and blue daishiki and shouting over the boisterous NPP supporters, dismissed voter surveys showing the NDC in the lead.

"They have not reckoned for the massive change of attitudes, and that change of attitude has been brought about by the reality of the people. The NDC has no new ideas to solve the problems of Ghana," he said.

If the NDC loses, and Bartels was confident they would, "they'll be looking for excuses," he said.

The west African country is facing an economic crisis brought about by falling prices for its two major foreign exchange earners, cocoa and gold, as well as a weakening currency and spiralling inflation.

The presidential and parliamentary elections are set for next Thursday. If the presidential vote is indecisive, a runoff vote must be held in three weeks, under the constitution that Rawlings brought in.

The US-style constitution calls for a maximum presidential tenure of two four-year terms.