The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that the Tamale Central by-election will be conducted on September 30.
This follows the demise of the lawmaker, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. He was among the eight individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident on August 6. He was laid to rest on August 10.
Individuals interested are entreated to pick up nomination forms via the website www.ec.gov.gh. They have from now until September 10 to do so. Filing fee for applicants is GHC10,000. For female candidates and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the nomination form is going for GHC7,500.
The criteria for applicants include providing a nomination form proposed and seconded by two registered voters in the constituency and assented to by eighteen others. Nomination forms must be delivered personally by candidates or have them delivered by a proposer or seconder. The forms must be submitted in four copies. Candidates are to provide two recent bust-sized photographs against a red background.
These forms are to be submitted to the EC’s Tamale Metropolitan Office from September 8 to 10, from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm daily.
On Monday, August 11, the New Patriotic Party declared its intention not to participate in a by-election in the area. According to a statement signed by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the decision was taken by the Party at a National Steering Committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Party Headquarters pursuant to Article 10(10)(1) of the Party Constitution.
According to the statement, this 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 a 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,” a part of the statement read.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, urged members of the National Democratic Congress to exercise restraint from discussing and announcing their intentions to contest the Tamale Central seat.
He shared the words of caution while lauding the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision not to contest in the Tamale Central by-election.
“I beg our party members not to rush into contesting the Tamale Central constituency. Let’s stay calm and not disrupt the funeral rites of our fallen heroes. The party will meet after the funeral and set timelines to get a replacement for the late Murtala Mohammed,” he said.
Speaking at the final funeral rites of the late Dr. Murtala Mohammed at his family house in Tamale on Tuesday, August 12, Asiedu Nketia described the NPP’s move as one that demonstrates political maturity.
“We thank our brothers in the NPP for declaring that they won’t contest us in Tamale Central,” he said.
