The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced a reopening of nominations for Tamale Central after two candidates withdrew their nominations on the last day, Wednesday, September 10.

In a statement dated September 12, the Commission announced a ten-day window for interested contenders to file their nominations, stating that any attempt to withdraw during this period would be deemed unlawful.

“The Electoral Commission wishes to announce for the information of the General Public that at the close of nominations on Wednesday, 10th September 2025, three (3) Candidates stood nominated for the Tamale Central Constituency Parliamentary By-Election. Two (2) of the three (3) Candidates, however, withdrew their nominations after the close of nominations…. A further period of ten (10) days shall be allowed for nomination of other Candidates, and it shall not be lawful for any person nominated within that period of ten (10) days to withdraw his/her nomination,” an excerpt of the statement read.

The EC explained that the extension in withdrawal was in accordance with Article 50 (2) of the 1992 Constitution, where two or more Candidates are nominated at the close of nomination, but before election day, only one Candidate stands nominated”.

Interested parties are to download the forms from the EC’s website from September 12 to 21.

“The Nominations will be received at the Tamale Metropolitan Office of the Commission from 12th September to 21st September, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm each day. Interested Candidates are required to download the Nomination Forms from the Commission's website (www.ec.gov.gh) from 12th September to 21st September, 2025,” the statement added.

On the mode of submission of the forms, candidates can either submit them by themselves or by their proposers. The forms should contain the signatures of two registered voters, with evidence of support from eighteen registered voters in the constituencies.

A proposer is a registered voter who officially endorses a candidate’s nomination to contest in an election.

“A prospective Candidate may personally deliver or cause to be delivered on his/her behalf, by either the Proposer or Seconder of his/her Nomination, the completed Nomination Forms to the Returning Officer at the Tamale Metropolitan Office of the Commission on the dates and times stated above. The Nomination Forms for each Candidate shall be witnessed by the signature or mark of two registered voters as Proposer and Seconder, and supported by eighteen (18) other registered voters in the Constituency as assenting to the Nominations. The Nomination Forms shall also be endorsed with the Candidate's consent to the Nomination,” EC directed.

It added that, “A Candidate shall at the time of submitting his/her completed Nomination Forms, provide the Returning Officer with two (2) copies of a recent postcard (bust-sized) photograph against a red background, showing his/her full face and ears”.

After all these conditions have been met, candidates can then go ahead and file their nomination at a fee of GHC 10,000. Candidates with disability have a slash of twenty per cent.

“The filing fee for the election is Ten Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC 10,000.00) per Candidate. However, the filing fee for Female Candidates and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) is Seven Thousand, Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHC 7,500.00). Completed Nomination Forms are expected to be delivered in quadruplicate.

EC then “urged the public to be guided accordingly”.

The EC's statement comes after the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) Prof Seidu Alidu became the sole contestant for the Tamale Central parliamentary by-election. This comes after the People's National Convention (PNC) and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) bowed out from the race on Wednesday, September 10.

NPP had earlier declared its intention not to participate in the upcoming by-election. According to a statement signed by NPP’s General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the decision was taken by the Party at a National Steering Committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, at the Party Headquarters pursuant to Article 10(10)(1) of the Party Constitution.

The statement indicated that their decision will be the party’s better way of honoring Dr. Murtala Mohammed and the other crash victims.

In arriving at the decision, the Party considered many factors, including the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat has become vacant and the possibility of a further polarization of the country at this critical time. The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to competitive processes in search of a replacement for the departed MP.

The Party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided.

“It is the considered view of the Party that the greatest tribute that the NPP and the rest of the nation can pay in honour of the departed, is not only to win the fight against Galamsey but also to ensure a smooth and peaceful replacement for the good people of Tamale Central.

“Consequently, the NPP hereby announces that when the Electoral Commission of Ghana opens nominations for the Tamale Central by-election in line with Article 112 (5) of Ghana's Constitution, the Party will, in accord with the national interest, not take part in the contest,” parts of the statement read.

Professor Alidu Seidu Mahama who is a senior lecturer at the University of Ghan’s ,Political Science Department, was elected by the NDC delegates as its candidate for the Tamale Central parliamentary primaries.

His victory was officially announced by Electoral Commission officials at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium on September 6.

According to the results, he secured 840 votes out of 1,511 valid ballots cast, beating 11 other contenders in what was a hotly contested race.

His closest challenger, former Tamale Metropolitan Assembly Mayor Abdul Hanan Gundadoo, polled 536 votes, while the remaining candidates shared the rest of the ballots.

A total of 1,511 delegates out of 1,551 registered cast their votes one ballot was rejected in an election where Prof. Alidu Seidu Mahama secured a commanding lead with 840 votes, followed by Abdul Hanan Gundadoo with 536.

The remaining candidates received the following: Dr. Seidu Fiter Mohammed (44), Ing. Aliu Abdul Hamid (23), Alhassan Mbalba (10), Dr. Abdul Rahaman Rashid (9), Sadat Haruna (9), Alhassan Osman Gomda aka Naa Simani (7), Shamima Yakubu (5), Mariama Naana Salifu (5), Prof. Abdul Razak Abubakari (4), and Muleika Salisu (3).

Following his declaration as winner, he expressed his gratitude to the delegates for their support and trust in his leadership.

“I am deeply grateful to the party, the delegates, and my fellow aspirants for the clean and competitive campaign we all ran. This victory is not mine alone—it belongs to every member of this great party who believes in unity, progress, and service,” the UG Professor said.