Several press reports state that in 7 December 1996 general elections, President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana was re-elected with 57.2 per cent of the vote and his National Democratic Congress (NDC) captured 130 of the 200 seats in parliament (Facts on File World News Digest 19 Dec. 1996; Financial Times 12 Dec. 1996; The Washington Post 12 Dec. 1996; Reuters 11 Dec. 1996; International Herald Tribune 13 Dec. 1996).

International monitors described the elections as free and fair (Facts on File World News Digest 19 Dec. 1996; Financial Times 12 Dec. 1996; Reuters 11 Dec. 1996; The Washington Post 12 Dec. 1996), the opposition was more sceptical about the scale of John Rawlings' victory and had some complaints about irregularities (Financial Times 12 Dec. 1996; Facts on File World News Digest 19 Dec. 1996). Five defeated candidates reportedly the election results in their constituencies (GBC Radio 10 Dec. 1996).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Facts on File World News Digest. 19 December 1996. "Rawlings Reelected President." (NEXIS)

Financial Times [London]. 12 December 1996. Antony Goldman. London Edition I. "Strength of Rawlings Victory Surprises Ghana." (NEXIS)

GBC Radio [Accra, in English] 10 December 1996. "Five Parliamentary Candidates Challenge Declared Election Results." (BBC Summary 11 Dec. 1996/NEXIS)

International Herald Tribune. 13 December 1996. James Rupert. "Rawlings Re-election in Ghana Judged Fair." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 11 December 1996. BC Cycle. "Historic Election Win for Ghana's Rawlings." (NEXIS)

The Washington Post. 12 December 1996. James Rupert. Final Edition. "Ghana's Voters Gives President Another Term; Final Results Show Rawlings with 57%." (NEXIS)

Facts on File World News Digest. 19 December 1996. "Rawlings Reelected Presidents." (NEXIS)

Financial Times [London]. 12 December 1996. Antony Goldman. London Edition I. "Strength of Rawlings Victory Surprises Ghana." (NEXIS)

GBC Radio [Accra, in English] 10 December 1996. "Five Parliamentary Candidates Challenge Declared Election Results." (BBC Summary 11 Dec. 1996/NEXIS)

International Herald Tribune. 13 Decembre 1996. James Rupert. "Rawlings Re-election in Ghana Judger Fair." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 11 December 1996. BC Cycle. "Historic Election Win for Ghana's Rawlings." (NEXIS)

The Washington Post. 12 December 1996. James Rupert. Final Edition. "Ghana's Voters Gives President Another Term; Final Results Show Rawlings with 57%." (NEXIS)