Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, from the ruling National Democratic Congress, main opposition leader Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo from the New Patriotic Party and other presidential candidates have picked up nomination documents from the Electoral Commission ahead of the December 7 general election. Parliamentary candidates also began picking up their nomination forms. The candidates are required to pay $12,505 while parliamentary candidates pay $2,501 as nomination fees in addition to meeting other requirements outlined by the electoral commission. September 29 and 30 are the only dates the electoral commission has set for the official filing of nomination for all candidates who want to participate in the elections, according to spokesman Eric Dzakpasu.
“We’ve given the opportunity to all prospective candidates to come and pick their nomination forms, and then fill it, provide the necessary documentation and then the filing fees so that they can file them on 29th and 30th of September. As at the close of work on the 15th of September, 14 party candidates and three independent candidates have come to pick the forms for processing,” said Dzakpasu.
“A key requirement for the processing of the nomination forms to make it valid for the filing is that each presidential candidate should be able to get two registered voters per each district assembly administrative area in the country. We have about 216 of the districts so the requirement is that you would be getting 432 signatories across the country to endorse your candidature.”
Full Article: Ghana Presidential Candidates Pick Nomination Papers Ahead of December Poll.