Ghana

Parliament

Political system Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
Presidential system
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Structure of parliament Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
Unicameral
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IPU membership Current membership status
Yes
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Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections

Background

Election date(s) The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
07.12.2016
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
06.01.2017
Timing of election Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
31.12.2024
Number of seats at stake Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
275
Scope of elections Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal

Candidates

Total number of candidates Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
1,158
Number of male candidates Number of male candidates
1,021
Number of female candidates Number of female candidates
137
Percentage of women candidates The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
11.83%

Voter turnout

Registration Number of people registered to vote
15,712,499
Votes Number of people who actually voted
10,781,917
Voter turnout The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
68.62%

Results

About the election Short description of the context and results of the election.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, won both the parliamentary and presidential elections, thereby regaining power after eight years in opposition. President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who was seeking a second term in office, conceded defeat, heralding another peaceful transmission of power in Ghana. The 2016 elections were held amid an economic slowdown, triggered by a fall in the value of the country's commodity exports, such as gold, oil and cocoa. During the election campaign, the major parties focused on the economy, promising to create more jobs, provide better infrastructure and development projects.
Number of parties winning seats The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
2
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
61.45%
Alternation of power after elections The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Yes
Number of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
1
Names of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political groups winning seats breakdown
Political group Total
New Patriotic Party (NPP) 169
National Democratic Congress (NDC) 106
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
240
Number of women elected
35
Percentage of women elected The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
12.73%
Other notes
After a general election, the majority party nominates the Speaker in consultation with the other parties. Mr. Aaron Mike Ocquaye is not a Member of Parliament and will not become a Member through being elected Speaker. Mr. Ocquaye replaced Mr. Edward Doe Adjaho, who was a Member of Parliament before becoming Speaker.
Sources
Parliament (11.01.2017, 18.01.2017)
Electoral Commission
GhanaWeb
International Foundation for Electoral Systems
Ghana news Agency
Women Directly Elected
35

New legislature

Total number of men after the election The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
240
Total number of women after the election The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
35
Date of the first session The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
07.01.2017
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Mike Aaron Ocquaye (Male)
Political party
New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Date of election
07.01.2017