A total of 23 candidates have picked nomination forms to contest in the Council of State election in the Ashanti Region.

Serebour Quaicoe, Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that three of them had already filed their nominations.

The remaining had up to yesterday (Thursday), January 26, to submit their forms.

The EC has fixed February 9, 2017 as the day for the election and a body of electors – two from each of the 33 districts – would be voting to decide who represents the region on the Council.

Mr. Quaicoe put the age of the oldest aspiring member of the Council at 92 years and the youngest being 21.

Among other functions, the Council advices the president or any other authority regarding any appointment, as required by the Constitution.

It may also upon request or on its own initiative, consider and make recommendations on any matter being considered or dealt with by the president, a minister of state, parliament or any other authority.

It is required to meet at least four times in a year.