NDC's Baba Jamal Secures Landslide Victory in Ayawaso East By-Election, Returns to Parliament After Nine-Year Hiatus

In a decisive victory for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed has been declared the Member of Parliament-elect for the Ayawaso East constituency. The by-election, held on March 3, 2026, was necessitated by the untimely passing of the former Member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama. The Electoral Commission of Ghana confirmed that Baba Jamal secured 10,884 votes, representing approximately 63% of the valid ballots cast. His primary challenger, Baba Ali Yussif of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), garnered 4,009 votes, while independent candidate Mohammed Umar Sanda trailed with 1,885 votes.

Despite the clear margin of victory, the election was characterized by a notably low voter turnout. Of the 49,966 registered voters in the constituency, only 17,048 ballots were cast. Of these, 16,928 were deemed valid, while 120 were rejected. Security personnel were heavily deployed across various polling stations, including the St. Kizito polling station, ensuring that the voting process remained peaceful and orderly throughout the day. This win maintains the NDC's unbroken dominance in the Ayawaso East constituency, a stronghold the party has successfully defended in every election since the start of the Fourth Republic in 1992.

Following the declaration of results, an emotional Baba Jamal dedicated his victory to his 93-year-old mother, Mimi, whom he credited with prophesying his return to the legislature. Returning to Parliament after a nine-year absence—having previously served as the MP for Akwatia—the MP-elect emphasized that his recent professional experiences in Nigeria have better equipped him for the challenges of governance. He expressed profound gratitude to the NDC leadership, including former President John Mahama, and his family for their unwavering support during the campaign.

Looking ahead, Baba Jamal has promised an immediate "reset" for the constituency, pledging to prioritize local development and foster a collaborative relationship with the media to ensure transparency. He noted that the victory was a collective achievement for the people of Ayawaso East and signaled his readiness to address the pressing needs of his constituents. The MP-elect is expected to be officially sworn into Parliament during the next legislative session, marking a significant return for one of the NDC’s experienced political figures.