The Electoral Commission has declared Professor Alidu Mahama Seidu of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) the Member of Parliament-elect for the Tamale Central constituency, following an uncontested by-election.
The declaration, made Tuesday by Returning Officer Muniru Musah, came in accordance with Constitutional Instrument (CI) 127, which authorizes the EC to confirm a candidate as elected in the absence of competition.
“Prof. Alidu Seidu Mahama stands as the sole nominee, and in line with CI 127, he is hereby declared elected,” Musah announced.
The by-election was triggered by the death of sitting MP Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who died in a helicopter crash nearly two months ago. Initially, the race drew interest from three political parties—the NDC, the People’s National Convention (PNC), and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG). However, both rival candidates subsequently withdrew from the contest.
In response, the EC reopened the nomination process for 10 days. No new candidates filed to run by the deadline, clearing the path for Prof. Seidu to be elected without a vote.
Ziblim Saaka, Deputy Regional Secretary of the NDC, thanked constituents for their support and said the party was confident in Seidu’s ability to deliver “development-focused, inclusive leadership” to the people of Tamale Central.
Prof. Seidu is expected to be sworn into Parliament in the coming days.
