Multiparty democracy introduced in West African country in 1992

Updated: 3:46 a.m. ET Dec. 7, 2004 ACCRA, Ghana - Voters in Ghana lined up on Tuesday to choose a new leader for their West African country in what was expected to be a race between incumbent John Kufuor and long-standing rival John Atta Mills.

The election is the fourth since multiparty democracy was introduced in 1992 and a successful vote should reinforce Ghana?s growing reputation as a beacon of democratic stability in often turbulent and impoverished West Africa.

There are 10.3 million registered voters and 21,000 polling stations, supervised by an independent electoral commission. Voters will also choose 230 members of parliament from 900 candidates.

The other two presidential candidates are Edward Mahama, a doctor from the People?s National Convention (PNC), and George Aggudey, a businessman from the Convention People?s Party (CPP).

Analysts expect Kufuor, a tall, Oxford-educated lawyer, known as the ?gentle giant,? to reap the reward of four years of economic stability in Africa?s second biggest gold producer, though many of its 20 million citizens remain mired in poverty.

Kufuor?s New Patriotic Party (NPP) argues his first term brought stability to the economy of the world?s number two cocoa grower and laid the foundations for private sector growth.

?I?m going to vote for Kufuor to continue another four years in office because I think he?s done a good job,? said Samuel Oware, 34, a community relations officer, waiting outside a polling station in the capital Accra.

Mills? 2004 campaign slogan is ?A better Ghana.? He is challenging Kufour?s economic record, highlighting price rises for items such as school fees, petrol and utilities.

The first man in a line of about 600 people at 7 a.m. outside the polling station nearest Kufuor?s house in Accra complained of price rises and said he was for Mills.

?I came early because I want to go to work and I want to exercise my franchise as a Ghanaian. I?m voting because it is difficult to pay my children?s school fees and there are no jobs,? said Ben Azamula, 40, a carpenter.

Most polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and are due to close at 5 p.m.