Ghana

Parliament

Political system
Presidential system
Structure of parliament
Unicameral
IPU membership
Yes

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)
07 Dec 2016
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
06 Jan 2017
Timing of election
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
275
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Total number of candidates
1,158
Number of male candidates
1,021
Number of female candidates
137
Percentage of women candidates
11.8%

Voter turnout

Registered voters
15,712,499
Voters
10,781,917
Voter turnout
68.6%

Results

About 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
2
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
61.5%
Alternation of power after elections
Yes
Number of parties in government
1
Names of parties in government
New Patriotic Party (NPP)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
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
12.7%
Women Directly Elected
35
Other notes on the elections

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

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
240
Total number of women after the election
35
Percentage of women after the election
12.7%
First-term parliamentarians
No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
No information available
Date of the first session
07 Jan 2017

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Mike Aaron Ocquaye (Male)
Date of birth: 1944
Political party
New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Date of election
07 Jan 2017

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No