Practice question
The duly conducted presidential canvass shows Candidate A with the highest vote total, but less than half of all votes cast. No other candidate ties A, and no disqualification issue is assumed. An opponent demands a runoff solely because A lacks an absolute popular majority. Under Article VII, Section 4, which answer is best?
- A runoff is automatically required whenever there are three candidates.
- Congress may simply choose any losing candidate instead.
- The demand fails because the Constitution directs proclamation of the person with the highest number of votes.
- The Supreme Court must cast an additional popular vote for one candidate.
- The incumbent President may decide whether the plurality is enough.
Legal references
- 1987 Constitution, Article VII, Section 4, canvass, proclamation, tied highest votes and election contests: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/3/353
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