The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, Mrs. Jean Mensa, has officially declared Professor Alidu as the Member of Parliament (MP)-elect for the Tamale Central constituency after he filed his nomination unopposed. The announcement was made earlier today, drawing reactions from residents and political observers across the Northern Region.
According to reports, Prof. Alidu was the only candidate to successfully submit his nomination forms within the stipulated period. With no other contender challenging his candidacy, the EC was compelled, under Ghana’s electoral laws, to declare him duly elected without the need for a public vote.
The declaration was confirmed by the EC Chairperson, who emphasized that the process followed the constitutional and legal requirements guiding parliamentary elections in Ghana. “Where only one valid nomination is received at the close of nominations, the Returning Officer shall declare the candidate duly elected. In this case, Prof. Alidu is therefore the MP-elect for Tamale Central,” Mrs. Mensa stated.
The development has generated mixed reactions within the constituency. Supporters of Prof. Alidu have hailed the outcome as a sign of his wide acceptance and political strength, describing it as a victory for the entire Tamale Central community. On the other hand, critics argue that the absence of competition denies voters the opportunity to freely express their democratic choice at the ballot box.
Political analysts suggest that Prof. Alidu’s uncontested run could be linked to his strong grassroots support and reputation as an academic and community advocate. They note that his campaign strategy and early engagement with delegates may have discouraged potential opponents from entering the race.
Meanwhile, Prof. Alidu has expressed gratitude to the people of Tamale Central for their confidence in him, promising to serve diligently and bring development to the constituency. He also called for unity, urging constituents from all political backgrounds to rally behind him as he prepares to take his seat in Parliament.
This makes Tamale Central one of the constituencies in Ghana where an MP has been declared without contest, underscoring the dynamics of local politics and the influence of consensus-building in Ghana’s democratic process.
Source
From Opera News
