The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially announced that a Parliamentary by-election will be held in the Ayawaso East Constituency on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following the unfortunate death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Hon. Mahama Naser Toure.

In a press release dated January 16, 2026, the Commission explained that the death of the legislator has rendered the Ayawaso East seat vacant in accordance with Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution, as amended. As a result, the EC is constitutionally mandated to organise a by-election to elect a new Member of Parliament for the constituency.

The press release was signed by Mr. Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations at the Electoral Commission.

Nomination Process and Timeline

The EC announced that it will receive nominations from prospective parliamentary candidates at the Ayawaso East Municipal Office of the Commission, North Ridge.

The nomination period will run from Monday, February 9, 2026, to Wednesday, February 11, 2026, with submissions accepted daily between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm, and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Interested candidates are required to download the official Nomination Forms from the Electoral Commission’s website (www.ec.gov.gh/forms

). The forms will be available for download from Friday, January 16, 2026, to Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

A prospective candidate may submit the completed forms personally or through the Proposer or Seconder to the Returning Officer at the Ayawaso East Municipal Office on the stipulated dates and times.

Endorsements and Supporting Documents

According to the EC, each candidate’s Nomination Form must be endorsed with the candidate’s written consent to the nomination.

The forms must also be witnessed by two registered voters in the constituency — one acting as Proposer and the other as Seconder — and further supported by eighteen (18) additional registered voters in the Ayawaso East Constituency who must sign as assenting to the nomination.

Candidates are also required to submit two (2) copies of a recent postcard-sized (bust-size) photograph, taken against a red background, clearly showing the candidate’s full face and ears, at the time of filing their nomination.

All completed Nomination Forms must be submitted in quadruplicate.

The EC has fixed the filing fee for the by-election at Ten Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢10,000.00) per candidate.

However, in line with its inclusive policies, the Commission stated that female candidates and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) will pay a reduced filing fee of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢7,500.00).

The Electoral Commission urged all political parties, prospective candidates, and the general public to take note of the guidelines and be guided accordingly to ensure a smooth and transparent electoral process.