The Ayawaso East Constituency is set for a crucial parliamentary by-election on Tuesday, March 3, following the conclusion of campaigns by all contesting political parties. With 49,966 registered voters expected to cast their ballots, attention has now shifted from campaign platforms to the electorate.
The by-election was necessitated by the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Mr Naser Toure Mahama, in January 2026, creating a vacancy in the long-held seat.
Five candidates are in the race: Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Baba Ali Yussif of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ibrahim Iddrisu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), and two independent candidates, Umar Sanda Mohammed and David Akonor.
Security agencies and the Electoral Commission (EC) have declared their readiness for a smooth and peaceful exercise. The Ghana Police Service has announced the deployment of 80 officers to each electoral area within the constituency to maintain order, alongside intensified visibility patrols and community engagements ahead of the poll.
The EC says all logistical arrangements have been finalised, including the training and deployment of officials, configuration of biometric verification devices, and distribution of ballot papers and other sensitive materials. Voters have been urged to comply strictly with electoral procedures.
The contest is widely viewed as a test of the NDC’s longstanding dominance in the constituency, which it has held since 1992. An opinion survey by Global InfoAnalytics projects a strong lead for the NDC candidate, Baba Jamal, though analysts caution that voter turnout could significantly influence the final outcome.
In the final stretch of campaigning, both the NDC and NPP intensified outreach efforts across Nima, Maamobi, Accra New Town and surrounding communities through door-to-door engagements and community meetings before observing the mandatory quiet period.
As political activity winds down, residents of the densely populated, youthful urban constituency now carry the responsibility of deciding who will represent Ayawaso East in Parliament.
