Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - Dr. Edward Mahama, the People's National Convention (PNC) presidential candidate, cast his ballot at the Oko Presbyterian polling station in the Dome Kwabenya Constituency on Sunday and said he was sure that he would be elected the next president. He said it was time Ghanaians gave him the chance to lead the country after they had tasted life under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Clad in his traditional smock, Dr Mahama was cheered by the enthusiastic crowd that gathered at the polling station as he cast his vote at 0945 hours.

Speaking to the press, Dr Mahama said he was pleased that Ghanaians were out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility of electing leaders to oversee the affairs of the country. He expressed the hope that the process will be free, fair and transparent so that every Ghanaian would be satisfied about the outcome of the poll.

He said the acceptance of the result would depend to a large extent on the Electoral Commission and Dr Mahama assured Ghanaians that the anxiety of violence occurring would not materialise and that the polls would pass off peacefully.

The presiding officer, Mr John Numenyah, said the ballot boxes were received on time and voting started at exactly 0700 hours. He said there are 2,199 voters on the roll in the constituency, adding that there were enough voting materials for all. At the time GNA left the polling station at about 1000 hours 360 people had voted. Mr Stephen Atsu, a voter, said he joined the queue as early as 0200 hours but even then there were people who were already in the queue.