The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has consoled the 12 presidential nominees who were disqualified from contesting the December 7 polls by the Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday, October 10 for failing to meet the required criteria.

In a statement signed by the party's legal committee chairman Professor Mike Ocquaye, the NPP said: "We take note of the decision by the Electoral Commission to reject the nomination of 12 persons for the 2016 presidential election.

"In as much as we agree that the right things be done in the management of our elections, we express our sympathies with the candidates whose nominations have been rejected despite their efforts to meet the requirements of the law," the statement noted.

The party also hoped that all legal suits would be handled before the December 7 elections.

Read full statement below:

NPP ON EC DISQUALIFICATION OF SOME PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS

We take note of the decision by the Electoral Commission to reject the nomination of 12 persons for the 2016 presidential election.

In as much as we agree that the right things be done in the management of our elections, we express our sympathies with the candidates whose nominations have been rejected despite their efforts to meet the requirements of the law

We hope that the legal process, if any, will resolve expeditiously any issues arising from the Electoral Commission’s decision.

The consolidation of Ghanaian democracy requires that principles of justice and fairness govern all aspects of our electoral process.

……signed……

Prof. Mike Oquaye

Chairperson, Legal & Constitutional Committee