The year 1999 marked a major turning point in Nigeria’s history. This period marked the end of long military dominance of 15 years and ushered in the beginning of the fourth republic. The year 1999 marked a major turning point in Nigeria’s history.
Ghana
Ghana operates under a presidential republic system with a multi-party political landscape, dominated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The country is known for its stable democracy, having held regular elections and peaceful transfers of power since the Fourth Republic’s establishment in 1992.
32M+
Population
1.003:1
Men-Women Ratio
25%
Women Representation
Overview
Ghana’s political system has a fascinating and turbulent history. It began under British colonial rule as the Gold Coast and transitioned to an independent, one-party state, and then, through a series of coups, to its current status as a stable multi-party democracy.
• From Independence to One-Party Rule
After gaining independence in 1957, Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s Party (CPP) came to power. However, by 1964, the country became a one-party state under the CPP.
• The Era of Instability
A military coup in 1966 overthrew Nkrumah, ushering in a long period of political instability. Between 1966 and 1992, Ghana saw a continuous cycle of alternating civilian and military regimes.
Brief democratic periods, known as the Second Republic (1969–1972) under Prime Minister Kofi Busia and the Third Republic (1979–1981) under President Hilla Limann, were both cut short by military coups.
Flight Lt. Jerry Rawlings led two of these coups (1979, 1981) and ruled under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) from 1982 to 1992.
• The Fourth Republic: A Stable Democracy
In 1992, a new constitution was adopted, restoring multi-party democracy and establishing Ghana’s Fourth Republic. This period has been marked by remarkable stability, with the country holding eight general elections to date and peacefully alternating power between the two main parties: the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Since 1992, all five presidential transitions have been peaceful, a significant achievement that has earned Ghana a reputation as one of West Africa’s most enduring democracies.
Upcoming Elections
August 21, 2025
Presidential Election
Scheduled
Learn more
August 21, 2025
Presidential Election
Scheduled
The year 1999 marked a major turning point in Nigeria’s history. This period marked the end of long military dominance of 15 years and ushered in the beginning of the fourth republic. The year 1999 marked a major turning point in Nigeria’s history.
Learn more
August 21, 2025
Presidential Election
Scheduled
The year 1999 marked a major turning point in Nigeria’s history. This period marked the end of long military dominance of 15 years and ushered in the beginning of the fourth republic. The year 1999 marked a major turning point in Nigeria’s history.
Learn more
Participation Metrics
• Voter Registration: By 2020 about 17 million were registered (≈66% of population). According to research, women made up ~51.7% of registered voters (men ~48.3%), reflecting roughly equal gender participation.
• Turnout (Presidential): Turnout has varied: 69.3% in 2016, 78.9% in 2020, and about 64.0% in 2024. (Turnout dipped in 2024, possibly indicating some voter apathy.)
• Youth and Age: All citizens 18+ vote. Ghana’s electorate skews young (over half under 35), but specific “youth turnout” data is limited. Surveys (e.g. Afrobarometer) note high youth interest in politics, but no official breakdown by age is published.
• Regional Trends: Turnout and party support vary regionally: e.g., Ashanti and Eastern regions strongly favor the NPP, while the Volta and Northern regions lean NDC. However, official turnout reports by region are not routinely published.
• Gender Gap: While registration is roughly gender-balanced, women’s representation in elective office is low (around 15% in Parliament as of 2023). Civic groups note more voter apathy among youth and women in recent elections, although exact turnout by group is not released.
Key Electoral Institutions
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Observer Groups
These are not formal government institutions but they play a crucial role in monitoring and reporting electoral irregularities. They also conduct political education and advocate for clearer electoral reforms.
Contact Information
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The Supreme Court of Nigeria
The Nigerian Court plays an important role in the country’s electoral processes by ensuring justce, fairness during and after elections. This cort is the highest and final court of appeal in Nigeria. Once the court delivers a judgement on an election matter, no addittional legal process is possible. Also, the courts interprets the provision of the electoral acts as codified in the 1999 constitution (as amended).
Contact Information
- Headquarters: Plot 436 Zambezi Crescent Maitama District FCT, Abuja, Nigeria
- Mailing Address: PMB 0184 Garki FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.
- Hotline: 0700-CALL-INEC (0700-2255-4632)
- Email: iccc@inec.gov.ng
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State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs)
This commission operates at the state level to conduct local government elections within each state. They are accountable to state governments. However, the structure of SIECs varies across states.
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Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
This is the primary body in Nigeria that manages and coordinates natinal and state electoral processes. INEC was established by the 1999 constitution to supervise presidential, national assembly, governorship and state assembly elections; monitor pilitcal party activities and their finances: accredit observers and parties. INEC is headed by a Chairman and National Commissioner that is appointed by the president and approved the the senate.
Contact Information
- Headquarters: Plot 436 Zambezi Crescent Maitama District FCT, Abuja, Nigeria
- Mailing Address: PMB 0184 Garki FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.
- Hotline: 0700-CALL-INEC (0700-2255-4632)
- Email: iccc@inec.gov.ng
Visit Website
Electoral Laws & Policies
• The 1992 Constitution The Repbulic of Ghana (as amended)
The 1992 Constitution is the supreme law that establishes the fundamental principles of Ghana’s democracy. It guarantees the right to vote for all citizens over 18 (Article 42), the right to a secret ballot, and outlines the powers of the Electoral Commission (EC). Article 46 explicitly shields the EC from external control or direction.
https://constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/Ghana%20Constitution.pdf
• Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451): This act formally established the Electoral Commission, specifying its composition, powers, and membership. It was amended in 2003 by Act 655.
https://repository.parliament.gh/bitstream/handle/123456789/1810/ELECTORAL%20COMMISSION%20ACT%2c%201993%20%28ACT%20451%29.pdf?sequence=1
• Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Laws (1992): The initial legal framework for presidential and parliamentary elections was set out in separate laws (PNDCL 284/285) and regulations (CI 15, 1996), which govern nomination, voting procedures, and dispute resolution. These laws establish rules for campaign periods and funding.
https://judicial.gov.gh/jsweb/index.php/jsg-services/libraryservices/statute-on-elections/392-presidential-elections-law-1992-pndcl-285
• Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574): This law regulates the registration of political parties, their internal operations, and financial reporting. A 2018 amendment was made to strengthen oversight of party finances.
https://repository.parliament.gh/bitstream/handle/123456789/1905/ACT%20574%20Rev%20Ed.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y
• Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936): This act consolidated local government laws, including those for District Level Elections. It requires that candidates for these local elections run as individuals without party affiliation.
https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/gha177648.pdf
• Representation of the People’s Amendment Act (ROPAA, 2016): This act was passed to allow qualified Ghanaians living abroad to vote in national elections. However, its implementation is pending the passage of a Constitutional Instrument. https://legislation.gov.im/cms/legislation/acts-of-tynwald-as-enacted/21-primary-2016.html?download=254:representation-of-the-people-amendment-act-2016
• Biometric and ID Laws: The EC’s use of biometric voter registration is conducted under the Electoral Commission Act. Since 2019, the Ghana Card (the national ID, established by the 2006 NIA Act) has been used for voter identification and verification at polling stations.
https://nca.org.gh/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/National-Identification-Authority-Act-2006-Act-707.pdf
Accredited Election Monitoring Organizations
Recent Election Publication
News & Updates
Gambia
Worst Election Recorded in the whole world. #5
Observe West Africa is a youth-led, civic-driven platform dedicated to promoting transparent and inclusive elections across West Africa.
Gambia
Worst Election Recorded in the whole world. #4
Observe West Africa is a youth-led, civic-driven platform dedicated to promoting transparent and inclusive elections across West Africa.
How To Monitor Elections In
Ghana
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