Accra, Oct. 5, GNA - Filing of nominations for the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections would take place on October 20 and October 21, 2004 the Electoral Commission (EC) announced on Tuesday.

A statement signed in Accra by Mr Henry W. Okyne, Director of Public Affairs of EC, said the Chairman of the EC, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan had issued writs of elections to all Returning Officers throughout the country authorizing them to conduct and supervise the Elections in all the 230 Constituencies.

The statement said nomination forms could be obtained free of charge from the District Electoral Officers of the EC. The filing of the nominations would be between 0900 hours and 1200 hours and 1400 hours and 1700 hours.

"Nomination forms for the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections are to be delivered in quadruplicate to the Chairman of the Electoral Commission and the Returning Officers at designated centres of the constituency, respectively on the days and times specified."

The statement said candidates were also to provide two recent colour post size photographs (bust) with red background. The statement said a Presidential Candidate and not less than two registered voters resident in each of the 138 District Assembly areas must sign his or her nomination forms.

For a Parliamentary Candidate, the nomination form must have two registered voters resident in the constituency as a Proposer and a Seconder and supported by 18 other registered voters in the constituency.

A Presidential Candidates is to pay a deposit of 20 million cedis while a Parliamentary Candidates is to pay 500,000 cedis in bank draft addressed to the Chairman, Electoral Commission; Accra.

The statement said aspiring candidates, who registered in constituencies other than where they want to contest, should apply to the Returning Officer of the constituency where they want to contest for their votes to be transferred.

The two elections would be held on December 7 2004 from 0700 hours to 1700 hours.