Takoradi, Jan. 21, GNA - Mr Steve Opoku-Mensah, Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) said three individuals had collected forms to contest and represent the region as members of the Council of State.

He said their names would not be disclosed till they had returned their forms.

Mr Opoku-Mensah said the membership of the Council of State was a constitutional requirement and citizens above 18 years could apply to contest and represent their respective regions. Mr Opoku-Mensah, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Sekondi on Wednesday, said Members of the Council were the advisers to the President and they must be intelligent, patriotic and hardworking.

He said the constitution demanded that each region elected one person to represent it on the council. Mr Opoku-Mensah said apart from the former Inspector General of Police, the Chief Justice, the Chief of Defence staff and the ten people from each region, the President would also appoint 11 others who had excelled in various academic, political, social and human rights fields to bring their expertise to bear on the rapid growth of the council. He added that nominations were ongoing and would close on January 27 this year.

Mr Opoku-Mensah said the election would be conducted on February 10, 2009 at the EC Regional Office in Sekondi. He said the forms were free and individuals who were interested should pick a form at the Regional Office of the EC and ensure that they fulfilled all the requirements. Mr Opoku-Mensah said the election would be conducted by two representatives each from all districts in the region.