With the Electoral Commission (EC) set to receive nominations for presidential and parliamentary aspirants, this year’s presidential ballot could be lengthy if all the aspirants return their forms.

A total of 12 registered political parties and 27 independent candidates have picked up codes to download the presidential forms to contest in the upcoming elections, according to a high-level source at the EC, as reported by Graphic Online’s Albert K. Salia on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

However, not all aspirants, including some political parties, are expected to submit their nomination forms during the scheduled period from September 9 to September 13, 2024.

The completed presidential nomination forms must be delivered to the EC's Head Office between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. or between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day, while parliamentary aspirants are required to submit their forms at the district offices of the EC.

Political Parties

The 12 political parties that have picked up the nomination forms include:

New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Democratic Congress (NDC) Convention People’s Party (CPP) Progressive People’s Party (PPP) Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) All People’s Congress (APC) People’s National Convention (PNC) Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) Ghana Union Movement (GUM) National Democratic Party (NDP) Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) Progressive Alliance for Ghana (PAG) Independent Aspirants

Among the 27 individuals who have obtained passcodes to contest as independent presidential candidates are George Twum-Barim-Adu, Samuel Apea-Danquah, Alan K. Kyerematen, Nana Kwame Bediako, Jacob Osei Yeboah, Richard Sumah, Kofi Koranteng, Desmond Abrefa, Dr. Agnes Ayisha, Dr. Nii Amu Darko, Wilberforce Andrews, Nana Stephens, Rev. Samuel Worlanyo, T. K. Amenya, Robert Roy Reindorf, Paul Perkoh, Seth Ntim Agyarko, Stephen Atubiga, Janet Asana Nabla, Sam Ankrah, Nana Ohene Aggrey Bentsil Djan, Tom Asiseh, Kenneth Kwame Asamoah, Tawiah N. Hemans, Muhammad Abdullah, James Kwasi Oppong, and Isaac Wiafe Ofori.

Nomination Process and Regulations

The EC has made the nomination forms available on its website since August 2, 2024, to provide aspirants ample time to complete and correct any errors before submission. Under Regulations 6, 7, and 8 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127), the filing fees remain unchanged from the 2020 elections: GH¢100,000 for presidential candidates and GH¢10,000 for parliamentary candidates. Female presidential candidates and persons with disabilities are required to pay a reduced fee of GH¢75,000, while female parliamentary candidates and persons with disabilities pay GH¢7,500.

Requirements for Submission

The C.I. 127 stipulates that a candidate for President must be nominated on the official EC forms, signed by the candidate and at least two registered voters from each district assembly.

The completed forms, which must also designate a Vice-President candidate, are to be submitted in quadruplicate, along with four recent bust-sized photographs against a red background.

The Chairperson of the EC will serve as the Returning Officer for the presidential election, and candidates disqualified by the EC will have the opportunity to appeal.

The list of qualified candidates will be announced after the receipt of all nominations.