The Electoral Commission (EC) is preparing to formally declare Professor Alidu Seidu of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the new Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, following the closure of the nomination period for a scheduled by-election without any opposing candidates.
The deadline for filing nominations expired at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 21, without any other political parties or independent candidates submitting nomination forms, according to Lucas Yiryil, Northern Regional Director of the EC.
Professor Seidu, who was the only nominee remaining after two previously declared candidates withdrew, is now set to assume the parliamentary seat without a vote—a rare occurrence in Ghana’s multi-party democracy.
“Since no additional nominations were received during the extended window, the Commission will initiate the formal process to declare Professor Seidu the duly elected MP,” Mr. Yiryil told 3News. He added that the planned by-election would no longer be held, given the absence of a contest.
Uncontested Victory Follows Death of Incumbent
The Tamale Central by-election was triggered by the death of sitting MP Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed on August 6, 2025. The EC officially declared the seat vacant on August 19, in accordance with constitutional procedures, and set a timetable for a by-election.
Initially, three candidates were expected to contest the race, but two later withdrew, leaving Seidu as the sole contender. In an effort to ensure a competitive process, the EC reopened the nomination period for ten days—though this ultimately failed to attract new entrants.
While uncontested parliamentary appointments are permissible under Ghana’s electoral laws, they remain infrequent and tend to raise questions about the strength of political engagement and opposition in certain constituencies.
Broader Implications
The development comes as the NDC continues to consolidate its presence in the Northern Region, a stronghold for the party. It also reflects a growing trend in Ghanaian politics, where logistical, financial, or strategic concerns sometimes lead parties to forgo contesting certain by-elections.
The EC is expected to issue a formal communiqué in the coming days, outlining the next steps in the official confirmation of Seidu’s appointment.
Professor Seidu, a political science lecturer and longtime member of the NDC, will be sworn into Ghana’s Parliament later this month.
