ASSIN FOSO, Ghana, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Cocoa farmer Joseph Arkoh's vote in Saturday's election in Ghana hinges on one unlikely issue: fertiliser. "All of us farmers are suffering," the 56-year-old said, as labourers harvested bright yellow pods on his land deep in the bush. "When we meet, the fertiliser and chemicals are big concerns."

More than 18 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots on December 7. Despite a tight race for the presidency, analysts expect a peaceful outcome.

The special voting exercise organised by the Electoral Commission (EC) for various personnel who will be on duty during the December 7 elections went on smoothly and almost unnoticed in the capital, Accra,

Ghanaians are set to vote on Dec. 7 for a new president to replace Nana Akufo-Addo, who has served the maximum two terms.

Since the country emerged from its own military rule in 1992, political power in Ghana has alternated peacefully between the NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress