Ghanaian incumbent John Dramani Mahama has retained his seat. He was late last night declared winner of a closely fought presidential polls by the country’s Electoral Commission (EC) but the opposition sustained its allegation of fraud.

As was reported on Saturday by News Express, the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) had alleged that the result was being doctored in a building at Dzorwlu in Ayawaso-West Wuogon of Accra. The allegation was dismissed by the EC, the ruling National Democratic Convention (NDC) and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, head of the Election Monitoring Team sent to Ghana by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

That notwithstanding, results compiled by local media had early yesterday pointed to a Mahama win, leading the opposition to strongly reject them, alleging fraud and claiming it had evidence that its candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, was the real winner.

According to the electoral commission last night, Mahama won with 50.70% of the votes cast, compared to Akufo-Addo’s 47.74%. With eight candidates in the race, more than 50% was needed to avoid a second-round runoff.

“I call on all leaders of all political parties to respect the voice of the people,” Mahama said in a victory speech in which he also urged restraint in celebrations and said he was overwhelmed.

“The voice of the people is the voice of God.”

But rejecting the result, NPP said in a statement that the results announced “by the evidence do not reflect the mandate of the required majority of the Ghanaian electorate.”

Party officials meet tomorrow to decide the way forward, it said in a statement.

Turnout was put at more than 79%. Observers from the Commonwealth, West African bloc ECOWAS and local group CODEO all said the vote appeared peaceful and transparent.

The opposition however issued a scathing statement even before the official results were announced.

•Photo: President Mahama.