By Ashiadey Dotse
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that it will hold a parliamentary by-election in the Ayawaso East Constituency on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following the death of the area’s Member of Parliament, Mahama Naser Toure.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 16, the EC said the seat became vacant after the late MP passed away on January 4, 2026, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness. The Commission explained that under Article 112 (5) of the 1992 Constitution, it is required to organize a by-election to fill the vacant seat.
The EC has therefore opened nominations for candidates who wish to contest the election. Nomination forms will be received at the Ayawaso East Municipal Office of the Commission at North Ridge from Monday, February 9, to Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
According to the EC, nominations will be accepted each day between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm, and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Interested candidates can download nomination forms from the EC’s website from Friday, January 16, to Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
The Commission said completed forms may be submitted personally by the candidate or delivered on their behalf by either the proposer or seconder to the Returning Officer at the Ayawaso East Municipal Office.
Each nomination form must be endorsed by two registered voters in the constituency as proposer and seconder, and supported by eighteen other registered voters.
The filing fee for the election is GH₵10,000 per candidate. However, female candidates and persons with disabilities will pay a reduced fee of GH₵7,500. All nomination forms must be submitted in four copies.
The EC has urged political parties, candidates, and the public to strictly follow all guidelines and timelines to ensure a smooth and credible by-election.
Mahama Naser Toure was a fourth-term Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East. During his time in Parliament, he served as Vice Chairman of the Energy Committee and was also a member of the Roads and Transport Committee, the House Committee, and the Private Members’ Bills and Motions Committee.
