In Ghana, general elections for presidential and parliamentary positions are held every four years on 7 December.
The country has always looked for ways to improve its electoral processes, including the use of biometrics to verify voters. But there may be another process that Ghana may need to consider in future elections: Ranked Choice Voting (RCV).
RCV presents an innovative method that could potentially enhance the democratic experience in the country. So how does it work?
What is ranked voting?
Choice ranking vote is an electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference. If a candidate receives a majority of first-preference votes, they are declared the winner.
If no candidate achieves this, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on the voters’ subsequent preferences. This process continues until one candidate secures a majority.
Countries using RCV in their general elections include; New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Malta, and Ireland.
The possible implementation in Ghana
For Ghana, implementing the RCV would require a constitutional amendment as the current system is based on simple majority.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana will need to conduct extensive public education campaigns to familiarize voters with the new system. In addition, logistical issues such as ballot design and vote counting procedures should be considered.
Benefits of RCV for Ghana
RCV could bring several benefits to Ghana’s electoral process:
- Reduction in Spoiler effect: Voters can support the candidate they prefer without fear of inadvertently helping to elect the candidate they prefer least.
- Promoting Majority Support: Candidates will need to appeal to a broader base to win the necessary ranked votes, ensuring that the winner will have broad support.
- Discouraging negative campaigning: Candidates will have incentives to seek second-choice votes from their opponents’ supporters, creating a more positive campaign environment.
- Cost saving: By potentially eliminating the need for separate run-off elections, RCV could reduce the costs associated with conducting multiple rounds of voting.
Challenges and concerns
Despite the benefits, RCV would also pose challenges:
- Voter education: Educating the electorate about the new electoral system would be crucial to its success.
- Ballot Complexity: The risk of increased ballot tampering due to voter confusion can be a concern.
- Counting Process: The counting process would be more complex and time-consuming, requiring robust systems to ensure accuracy and transparency.
The adoption of ranked voting in Ghana could represent a significant change in the nation’s electoral landscape. While it promises to strengthen democratic principles such as majority rule and voter choice, the challenges it presents must be carefully considered.
As Ghana continues to evolve its democratic processes, the RCV offers an interesting possibility for the future of elections in the country. The debate surrounding its possible adoption will undoubtedly contribute to the continued development of Ghana’s strong democratic system.
Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Twitterand Instagramand subscribe to our weekly newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any news.
Related