Explainer: How the winner of the presidential elections will be selected

Explainer: How the winner of the presidential elections will be selected

Ghanaians would be heading to the polls come December 7, 2020, to elect the country's next president and elect parliamentarians for the next 4 years.

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Just like is done every election year, the Electoral Commission of Ghana is mandated by law to call the election provided he or she satisfies all the criteria.

In Ghana's democratic practice, the winner of any presidential election should be able to secure at least 50% plus 1% of the total votes cast to be victorious.

In the event where no presidential candidate is able to sure the 50+1 percent of total votes cast in the first round, a run-off would be held for the two candidates with the most votes.

Explainer: How the winner of the presidential elections will be selected
Jean Mensa. Source: Daily Graphic
Source: Original

Before the second round of election comes off, the two leading presidential candidates would be allowed a number of days to campaign once again to win over more votes.

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Just like the protocols put in place for the first round, the second round or run-off election would also see same procedure.

After the votes are counted, the candidate that is able to pull the required 50 + 1% of the votes cast would be declared the president-elect.

This would be after all returning officers have certified the results from all polling stations by appending their signatures to it.

After this, the Electoral Commission of Ghana led by the Electoral Commissioner would call the election in favor of the presidential candidate that pulled the most votes.

Following this, a transitional team would be put in place to ensure the smooth transfer of power to the president-elect if it is the case where a new candidate defeats the sitting president.

A swearing-in ceremony would then be held on January 7 which would mark the official first day in office of the president.

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However, if it is the case that the sitting president retains power, a swearing-in ceremony would be held on the same date to mark the beginning of his/her second term in office as the president.

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Source: YEN.com.gh

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