The smaller parties have failed to live up the billing that they could make some good showing at the polls, judging from the initial results trickling in from the polling centres.

Although just a few of the provisional results are out, a clear trend has been established as most of the small parties are scoring very low votes with some scoring zero at several polling stations.

The Progressive People’s Party led by Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom which was tipped to be a third force has so far failed to glitter.

If the trend persist, it might be possible for either the National Democratic Congress or the New Patriotic Party to secure the required 50% and one vote to clinch a first round win.

Political pundits have argued that Ghana has increasingly become a two-party state and the trend in the results appears to be confirming this position.

Since 1992 when Ghana returned to democratic rule, the race has been between the NDC and the NPP and although the smaller parties have existed during all these 20 years, their fortunes have remained the same.

In all there are eight men including an independent candidate contesting the presidency. Also at stake is the contest for 275 seats in parliament by 1,332 candidates from 14 of the 23 registered political parties. Out of the number, 133 are female contestants.

Get some of the results here