Ghana's Muslim pilgrims get vote

Muslims dominate Ghana's three northern regions

Ghana's electoral commission has announced special arrangements so Muslim pilgrims going to Mecca for the Hajj can vote in polls on 7 December.

The annual religious journey in Saudi Arabia is scheduled to take place between 30 November and 20 December.

Those going to the Hajj will be able to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf on election day.

The BBC's David Amanor in the capital, Accra, says the decision follows lobbying by Ghana's Hajj Committee.

An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Muslims are expected to make the trip this year.

President John Kufour - of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) - is standing down after two terms in office, and a tight race is expected.

The electoral commission says no early voting will be allowed and the proxy voter must be a registered voter in the same constituency and polling area as the absent voter.

The process already exists for servicemen on UN missions, people on diplomat missions and certain students abroad, our reporter says.

Although a minority community in Ghana, Muslims dominate the three northern regions, he says.

Historically, the majority of votes from these regions have gone to the main opposition National Democratic Congress.