The presidential election was contested only between 3 candidates namely; Jerry John Rawlings of the NDC, John Kuffuor (NPP) and Edward Mahama (PNC). That election resulted in a victory for the incumbent NDC. It was also the last election contested by Jerry John Rawlings on the NDC ticket and also the first to be contested by John Kuffuor on the NPP ticket.

Kow Nkensen Arkah was the running mate for the NPP while John Atta-Mills was the running mate for the NDC. The elections were held on 7th December 1996.