Ayawaso East Decides: Over 40,000 voters head to polls in high-stakes by-election

Constituents of the Ayawaso East constituency are returning to the ballot box today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to elect a new Member of Parliament.

More than 40,000 registered voters are expected to participate in the exercise to fill the vacancy left by the late MP, Mahama Naser Toure, who passed away in January 2026.

Following the conclusion of internal party primaries, two major candidates have emerged as the frontrunners in this contest:

Baba Ali: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate.
Baba Jamal: The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate and former High Commissioner to Nigeria.
EC Ready

The Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that all logistical and security arrangements have been finalized to ensure a credible and orderly process. Speaking on Monday, March 2, the EC’s Director of Research, Fred Tetteh, assured the public that the commission is prepared for a “well-organized” exercise.

“This by-election, which is a parliamentary type of election, is first-past-the-post. So, one vote can make a difference,” Tetteh stated. “When it is proven that a fraudulent activity took place, the commission will make a decision.”

The EC has also issued a stern warning against electoral misconduct, specifically targeting vote-buying. Officials emphasized that any proven case of malpractice would attract severe sanctions. Under Ghana’s first-past-the-post system, the candidate with the highest number of valid votes, regardless of the margin, will be declared the winner.

To maintain calm and safeguard the integrity of the vote, the Ghana Police have deployed personnel across the constituency. Their presence is intended to prevent disruptions and ensure that voters can cast their ballots in a peaceful environment throughout the day.