The Electoral Commission (EC) has reopened nominations for the Tamale Central parliamentary by-election, extending the period by 10 days after two out of three candidates withdrew their candidacies on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

The withdrawals leave the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Prof Seidu Alidu, as the sole contestant for now, but opens the door for new aspirants to file.

In a statement issued on Friday, September 12, the EC invoked Article 50(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates a fresh 10-day nomination window when only one candidate remains after withdrawals post the initial deadline.

NDC's Professor Alidu Seidu Mahama to enter Parliament unchallenged

“In line with Article 50(2) of the 1992 Constitution, the Commission will re-open nominations for ten (10) days,” the statement read.

The commission emphasises that no candidate filing during the extended period may withdraw.

Nominations will now be received at the Tamale Metropolitan Office of the EC from Friday, September 12, to Sunday, September 21, 2025, between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

Interested candidates must download nomination forms from the EC’s website (www.ec.gov.gh) during the given timeframe and submit them in quadruplicate—either personally or via their proposer or seconder—to the Returning Officer.

The EC specified that the forms must be endorsed with the candidate’s consent, witnessed by two registered voters as proposer and seconder, and supported by 18 other registered voters from the constituency.

NDC's Professor Alidu Seidu Mahama to enter Parliament unchallenged

Candidates are also required to provide two recent passport-sized photographs against a red background. The filing fee is GH¢10,000 for general candidates, reduced to GH¢7,500 for women and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The withdrawals came from candidates of the People’s National Convention (PNC) and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), who had submitted their forms on September 10 but officially pulled out via letters from their party's general secretaries.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) had earlier announced it would not contest the seat in solidarity with the NDC following the tragic death of the incumbent MP, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, in a military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.

The by-election is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in line with Article 112(5) of the Constitution, which requires filling vacancies within 60 days.

GA

Will Ghana pass the Anti-Witchcraft Bill? Find out in the latest episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV in this conversation with Amnesty International: