Samuel Tettey
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that a parliamentary by-election will be held in the Ayawaso East Constituency on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament (MP), Mahama Naser Toure.
In a press release dated January 16, 2026, and signed by the Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, the Commission said the vacancy in Parliament had arisen in accordance with Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution, as amended, necessitating the conduct of a by-election to choose a new MP for the constituency.
As part of the electoral process, the EC said it will open nominations for prospective candidates from Monday, February 9, to Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Nominations will be received at the Ayawaso East Municipal Office of the Commission at North Ridge, between 9:00am and 12:00pm, and from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on each of the three days.
The Commission has directed interested candidates to download nomination forms from its official website, www.ec.gov.gh/forms, beginning Friday, January 16, 2026, up to Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Completed forms may be submitted personally by candidates or on their behalf by either a proposer or seconder to the Returning Officer at the designated office, within the stipulated period, the statement indicated.
Per the EC’s guidelines, each nomination form must be witnessed by two registered voters in the constituency serving as proposer and seconder, and supported by 18 other registered voters who assent to the nomination. The forms must also carry the written consent of the candidate.
Candidates are further required to submit two copies of a recent postcard-sized bust photograph, taken against a red background and clearly showing the full face and ears. All nomination documents are to be submitted in quadruplicate.
The filing fee for the by-election has been set at GH¢10,000 per candidate. However, female candidates and persons with disabilities (PWDs) will pay a reduced fee of GH¢7,500, the release noted.
The Commission has urged the public and prospective candidates to take note of the guidelines and comply fully with the requirements as the country prepares to elect a new representative for the Ayawaso East Constituency.
By Ernest Kofi Adu