Twenty three people have picked up nomination forms so far to contest this year’s presidential elections.

Related: Election 2016: President Mahama picks nomination forms

This was disclosed by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei at the launch of the Guide to Candidates and Agents ahead of the elections on Friday September 23.

“So far 23 persons have picked up nomination forms to become Presidential candidates. This is made up of 16 political party presidential aspirants and 7 independent presidential aspirants.”

Related: Presidential candidates to pay Gh¢50,000; aspiring MPs to pay GH¢10,000

The figure is 500 per cent from the GH¢10,000 paid by presidential candidates in the 2012 elections.

Related: Election 2016:  EC’s filing fee: democracy is not the reserve of the rich – PPP

Parliamentary candidates are also to pay 10,000 as against the GH¢1,000 paid in the last elections. The new figure is a 1,000 per cent increment from the previous amount.

The PPP has been among the leading critics of the increase in filing fees.