In an unusual but perfectly legal turn of events, Ghana’s Electoral Commission has declared Professor Alidu Mahama Seidu of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) the new Member of Parliament for Tamale Central — without a single ballot being cast.

Prof. Seidu was the sole candidate left standing after his opponents from the People’s National Convention (PNC) and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) both withdrew from the by-election. The vote was initially triggered by the tragic death of sitting MP Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed in a helicopter crash nearly two months ago.

According to Returning Officer Muniru Musah, the EC acted under Constitutional Instrument (CI) 127, which allows an unopposed candidate to be declared elected without a poll. “As it stands, only Prof. Alidu Seidu Mahama stands nominated,” Musah said during the announcement. “And according to CI 127, he shall be declared elected.”

To ensure fairness, the EC reopened nominations for a 10-day window after the other candidates dropped out. Still, no new contenders came forward.

The NDC is celebrating the development as a quiet but significant victory. “This is a mandate for inclusive and development-focused leadership,” said Ziblim Saaka, the party’s Deputy Regional Secretary. He added that Seidu would honor the legacy of the late Dr. Murtala Mohammed while pushing forward the party’s agenda for progress in the region.

Prof. Seidu is expected to be sworn in within days, officially taking his seat in Parliament without the typical campaign trail or ballot counting — a political rarity that underscores both the unpredictability and flexibility of Ghana’s democratic processes.

Source:TheDotNews