The Electoral Commission (EC) has scheduled a by-election in the Tamale Central Constituency for Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
The election follows the death of the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, in accordance with Article 112(5) of the Constitution. Dr. Murtala was among eight people who perished in the helicopter crash of August 6.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced it will not participate in the by-election, citing respect for the late MP.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the EC said it will receive nominations at its Tamale Metropolitan Office from Monday, September 8, to Wednesday, September 10, 2025, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Commission’s website, www.ec.gov.gh, from August 19 until September 10, 2025.
The EC indicated that prospective candidates may submit their completed forms personally or through their proposer or seconder to the Returning Officer at the Tamale Metropolitan Office within the stipulated period.
The Commission assured the public of its commitment to conducting a transparent and credible by-election.
However, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has formally withdrawn from the upcoming Tamale Central parliamentary by-election, a contest that became necessary following the tragic death of Member of Parliament, Dr Murtala Mohammed.
In a statement signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the decision was announced after a national steering committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, 2025.
The move, according to the party, was made pursuant to Article 10(10)(1) of its constitution and in accordance with Article 112(5) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
The NPP explained that its withdrawal followed “several considerations,” including the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat became vacant and the need to prevent any further political polarisation at a sensitive time in the nation’s history.
The party stressed that it would be “inhumane and unconscionable” to plunge the country into a fiercely competitive political process so soon after the tragic loss of Dr Murtala Mohammed.
