Ghana Election Turnout Shows Extent of Voter Apathy to Politics

  • Early counting estimates voter participation at about 61%
  • Opinion polls predict the opposition’s John Mahama to win

Officials from Electoral Commission Ghana count ballots at a polling station in Accra on Dec. 7.

Photographer: Olympia de Maismont/AFP/Getty Images

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Many Ghanaians — facing high living costs — showed their displeasure toward the handling of the economy by staying away from polling stations on Saturday.

Voter turnout is “hovering around” 61%, Deputy Electoral Commissioner Samuel Tettey said in an interview. A clearer picture would be available on Sunday, he said. Participation in the 2020 elections stood at 79% from 69% four years earlier. There are 18.7 million registered voters, according to the election body.