The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially declared Prof. Seidu Mahama Alidu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Tamale Central Constituency.
The declaration, made on Monday by Tamale Metropolitan EC Director Muniru Musah — who also served as the Returning Officer — follows the close of an extended nomination period which ended on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
No other candidate filed to contest the by-election, originally scheduled for September 30, 2025.
Citing Sub-regulation (3) of Regulation 13 of the Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 127, Musah explained that when only one candidate stands nominated after the nomination window closes, no election is held, and the candidate is duly declared elected.
“In view of this, I, Muniru Musah, Returning Officer for the Tamale Central Constituency, in line with C.I. 127, hereby declare Prof. Alidu as the MP-elect for the Tamale Central Constituency,” he announced to cheering party supporters.
The announcement was met with loud applause and celebration from NDC members and supporters who had gathered at the EC’s metro office in Tamale.
Prof. Alidu’s unopposed election makes him the first individual in Ghana’s Fourth Republic to enter Parliament without a formal parliamentary vote. His election follows the death of the sitting MP, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, who represented the constituency on the ticket of the NDC.
The EC had earlier extended the nomination period for the by-election after two of the three initially cleared candidates withdrew from the race.
In a statement dated September 12, 2025, the Commission invoked Article 50(2) of the 1992 Constitution to reopen nominations from September 12 to 21.
Despite the extension, no additional candidates came forward, leaving Prof. Alidu as the sole contender — and now, MP-elect — for the Tamale Central seat. As a result, the previously scheduled September 30 by-election has been cancelled.
 has officially declared Prof. Seidu Mahama Alidu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Tamale Central Constituency.){kind=link}