GhanaElection 2008 Printing of Notice of Poll and Ballot Papers Printing of Notice of Poll and ballot papers was one of the exercises that was executed on record time. Even though filing of nominations was done behind schedule, the six(6) printing houses contracted for this exercise completed their assignments about a week to the election dates. The printing of ballot papers was not without problems. There were instances where a few stains on some ballot papers were reported. In the Afram Plains North Constituency, Special Voting for the first round was held on 4 th December instead of 2 nd December, 2008 because of swapping of pictures for DFP and PNC candidates on the parliamentary ballot papers. Reports received from the Northern Region also indicated that some markings were found on the NPP and NDC portions of the ballot papers for the Tolon, Kumbungu, Tamale Central and Chereponi constituencies. The alleged marked ballot papers were returned to Accra for reprinting. Distribution of Elections Materials Ballot papers and other logistics for the presidential, parliamentary and run­off elections were dispatched to the regions in record time by air and road. Not only were election materials sent early, they were supplied in the right quantities, thus preventing shortages. On the other hand what nearly marred the smooth provision of election materials was the delay in the printing of transfers and absent voters lists. In some cases, some of the printed lists could not be provided creating the condition for hand written ones to be used. It is very important to note that in order to ensure the early receipt of ballot papers the Commission with the support of the Ghana Army airlifted all ballot papers to the Northern, Upper East and West Regions by air. Election Day Activities The distribution of election materials throughout the country on the Election Day went on without major hitches except for delays in a few constituencies where police prevented officials from moving materials without police escort. Some challenges encountered in both rounds of the election included slow voting at some polling stations. There were also reports of very long queues at polling stations with very large registered voters. In most cases in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, the queues remained even after 5:00pm, when voting should have ended. Counting of ballots at such stations ended as late as 9:00pm thus delaying the early declaration of results. 44