What happens when the elections go to a runoff

If no presidential candidate secures the required 50%+1 majority in the December 7, 2024, election, the Electoral Commission (EC) is likely to organize a runoff on December 28, 2024.

 

This process adheres to Ghana’s constitutional requirement for electing a president by absolute majority.

 

A runoff election occurs when no candidate obtains the necessary majority of votes in the first round.

 

The expected runoff would be a final showdown between the two candidates wit

h the highest vote totals from the initial election.

According to Regulation 44(1) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127), a candidate in a presidential election shall be declared President if they secure more than fifty percent of the total number of valid votes cast.

Ghana has held runoff elections on two occasions, in 2000 and 2008.

 

Key Regulations for a Runoff:

Under Regulation 44 of C.I. 127, if no presidential candidate obtains more than 50% of the valid votes cast, a runoff election must be conducted within 21 days.

 

Understanding Ghana’s Runoff Election Process Under C.I. 127

 

Ghana’s electoral system is guided by the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127), which outlines key procedures for conducting runoff elections when no presidential candidate secures an outright majority in the first round. Here’s a breakdown of the essential provisions governing this process:

 

1. Second Election Requirement

 

According to Regulation 44(2) of C.I. 127, if no presidential candidate secures more than 50% of the valid votes cast in an election with more than two candidates, the Electoral Commission is mandated to conduct a second election within 21 days after the first round. This ensures compliance with Ghana’s constitutional requirement for an absolute majority to declare a winner.

 

2. Candidates for the Runoff

 

Regulation 44(3) specifies that only the two candidates with the highest number of votes in the initial election qualify to contest in the runoff. This head-to-head contest determines the ultimate winner of the presidential race, providing a clear path to majority rule.

 

3. Tie in the Runoff

 

In the rare event of a tie in the runoff election, Regulation 44(6) requires the Electoral Commission to organize another election within 21 days. The process continues until one candidate emerges as the clear winner, unless one of the candidates decides to withdraw.

 

These provisions reflect Ghana’s commitment to democratic principles, ensuring that the presidency is decided by a legitimate majority of voters. The Electoral Commission plays a critical role in upholding these regulations, maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, and fostering public confidence in the country’s democratic system.