Elections in Ghana are overshadowed by economic crisis [Video]

ACCRA, Ghana –

Voting closed Saturday evening in most polling centers throughout Ghana, bringing to an end the presidential and legislative elections poised to be a litmus test for democracy in a region shaken by extremist violence and coups.

The capital, Accra, was almost a ghost town for much of the day. Even vibrant Oxford Street, one of the city’s commercial hubs, saw little activity on the day that Ghanaians went to the polls to elect a new president and 276 legislators.

Some 18.7 million people are registered to vote in the West African country hit by one of the worst economic crises in a generation. However, the two main candidates offer little hope for change for the nation.

Early results were expected late on Saturday. The first official results will be released by Tuesday.

Ghana used to be a poster child for democracy in the region. At a time when coups threatened …