Tension as country heads for presidential & parliamentary elections

Tensions have increased in the country ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for 7 December. Electoral officials have indicated that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that the upcoming elections will be free and fair. On 29 November the Nigerian Bar Association sent six observers to Ghana, where they will monitor the course of the polls and will remain in the country until 15 December. Some concerns voiced ahead of the elections include the possibility of election violence, problems with voter registrations and the lack of equal media coverage of government and opposition parties. Authorities expect a high voter turnout, which could increase the likelihood of unrest during the historic elections. The elections are particularly important as current President John Kufour will be stepping down after his two terms in office. International attention has been focusing on the impending polls as many see Ghana as a successful developing African nation in comparison to several recent political collapses following elections in such nations as Zimbabwe and Kenya.