nomination day. This provision will alter the period so that polling day may be between 42 and 63 days after nomination day. • This will extend the time between the day of calling for elections and the polling day, giving more time for preparations, fulfilment of certain legal requirements under the Act and also more campaign time for candidates and participants. • Setting Possible Presidential Run-Off Election in Advance: The clause requires the President to specify in advance of the first election the date on which a Presidential run-off poll must be held in a presidential election if none of the candidates succeed in getting more than 50 per cent of the votes cast in the first round. In other words, the date will not be set after (but before) the first round of Presidential elections. This must be read in conjunction with provisions of Section 110 which require the Presidential Run-Off election to be held on “a fixed date not less than twenty-one and not more than sixty-three days [this should be forty-two days] after the polling day or last polling day”. The date cannot be more than 42 days or less than 21 days after the polling day of the first round of elections. This will prevent the risks that exists under the present system that the timing might be manipulated in view of the results of the initial presidential election. It will also mean that by the time the candidates are setting out for the run-off election, there is no chance that one of the contestants will also be the rulemaker in terms of when the run-off election will be held. Having the date set in advance means everyone is certain and clear about the timing and other candidates are not liable to be held at ransom by one candidate who may set a date that suits his or her advantage. • It’s worth noting that in Ghana, which has a similar system, the clause is a lot simpler. It requires the Presidential-Run-off election to be held within three (3) weeks of the first round of elections. This allows for a quick resolution of the Presidential contest. There is no need to have a long waiting period between the first election and the run-off – it only provides opportunities for manipulation and intimidation. The need to prepare for the run-off cannot be used as an excuse for the lengthy interval because the country must have back-up measures in place to 25