Accra, Oct. 21, GNA - The Convention Peoples Party (CPP), presidential candidate Mr George Aggudey, on Thursday filed his nomination papers at the Electoral Commission (EC) to contest the December 7 polls.
The Chairman of the Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, who was the Returning Officer for the Presidential Elections, accepted Mr Aggudey's candidature, having conducted an electronic and visual scrutiny of the papers.
A large entourage of CPP supporters and executives were in attendance to give the candidates morale support.
Outside the building of the Commission a crowd of party faithful listened to soft music from a campaign van and danced. The atmosphere became charged with excitement as Dr Afari-Gyan announced the acceptance of the nomination forms.
Mr Aggudey became the third presidential candidate to file nomination papers on the final day of nominations.
The NDC candidate, Professor John Evans Atta Mills was the first to file his papers followed by President John Agyekum Kufuor of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The presidential nomination papers are to be filed at the EC Headquarters, while parliamentary nomination papers are to be submitted at EC district offices.
Details required for presidential nominations include particulars of two registered voters resident in each of the 138 districts, a statutory declaration and an assets declaration.
Parliamentary candidates present statutory and assets declaration and provide particulars of 20 registered voters resident in their constituencies.
Dr Afari-Gyan told the GNA in an interview that a duly nominated candidate might withdraw his or her nomination at any time before 1700 hours on the day of nomination and the candidate must sign the notice of withdrawal.
He said deposits of candidates who obtain 25 per cent of the total valid votes in presidential election and 12 per cent of the parliamentary contest would be refunded.
Those who fail to obtain the required percentage would forfeit their deposit to the state.
Each presidential candidate is to pay a deposit of 20 million cedis while each parliamentary candidate is to pay 500,000 cedis. Some of the parties have deposited cheques at the EC to cover their presidential and parliamentary candidates.
