The Electoral Commission (EC) has fixed October 17 and 18, 2012 for receiving nominations from presidential and parliamentary candidates for the 2012 general election. A statement signed by a Deputy Chairman of the EC in charge of Operations, Mr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, and issued in Accra Thursday said political parties desirous of sponsoring candidates for the parliamentary elections and individuals who were interested in contesting the said elections might obtain nomination forms from the returning officers in the respective constituencies or the regional offices of the EC. It said nomination forms for the presidential election could be obtained from the Head Office of the EC in Accra. According to the EC, individuals interested in contesting the presidential election would be required to pay GH¢10,000, while the fee for those who would contest for parliamentary seats was GH¢1,000. Aspiring candidates are required to submit four copies of their recent photographs (bust), with a red background and showing the full face and both ears, on submitting the nomination forms.