THE REAL battle for the December 7 general elections kicked off yesterday as the three main presidential candidates filed their presidential nomination forms.

The three parties were, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, and the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), also led by Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum, together with their running mates, filed their nomination papers at the Electoral Commission (EC), in Accra, yesterday.

Mr. Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, an independent candidate, was the fourth to file, however, his nomination forms were rejected on the basis that his documents were incomplete, and he was asked to complete them for submission today.

The three presidential hopefuls who invaded the premises of the EC with their teeming supporters amidst drumming, singing and dancing, fully paid the GH¢5000 nomination fees required by the EC.

The three presidential candidates made known their desire to make sure that the upcoming elections would be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the flagbearer of the NPP, who was the first to file his papers in the company of his running mate, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah, pledged to make sure that the elections were held in an atmosphere of peace.

According to him, in his desire to ensure free and fair elections, he has engaged in a clean campaign, adding that because the EC would announce him as the winner, his party would not do anything untoward to undermine the credibility of the EC. Nana Addo did not mince words on the achievements of the NPP within the 8 years of its rule under President John Agyekum Kufuor.

He held the belief that the elections would be held devoid of violence, and he assured Ghanaians of peaceful elections, since the EC had the track record of holding violent-free elections.

According to him, the NPP stands to win the elections hands down due to it good works and asked Ghanaians to vote the NPP to continue with it policies and programmes. On his part, the flagbearer of the main opposition party, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills reiterated the party's commitment in ensuring that peace and tranquility prevailed in the upcoming elections. According him, the NDC has invested a lot in the country's democracy and would not allow it to be destroyed.

Prof. Mills, accompanied by his running mate, Hon. John Dramani Mahama and a host of party executives had little to say with regard to attacks on him by President John Agyekum Kufuor.

He sarcastically thanked President Kufuor for that comment and extended an invitation for him to follow him to the Ashanti Region. He said, the fact that John Dramani Mahama has hit the road and campaigning across the country, was the demonstration to showcase which people would form his presidency.

He maintained that his first tour was in the Northern region, therefore, Ghanaians should disregard the President's accusation that he has never toured the area.

The NDC flag bearer noted that during his tour of the nation, all the masses were crying for the return of the NDC because people were being abandoned, while others were suffering and wallowing in abject poverty.

He stated that the NDC, as a social democratic party, would redeem the suffering masses and would not create a system where few people would be rich to the disadvantage of the majority.

Prof. Mills stressed that contrary to the claims of the NPP, people were being marginalized, and saying under his presidency corruption and political polarization would end. The nation, he said belonged to all and that everything must be done to ensure that peace triumphs at the polls on December 7, where he would be declared winner.

He appealed to Ghanaians to maintain their track record of ensuring free, fair and transparent elections. According to him, it was unfortunate that people preach peace but did the opposite.

Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndoum, on his part pledged to conduct his campaign devoid of mudslinging and personality attacks. According to him, the CPP does not believe in unnecessary talks to attack the EC and that was the main reason that it had maintained a low profile, and that whenever there was a problem they would meet the EC to address issues.

Dr. Ndoum, whose nomination papers had some problems, causing a temporary hold up for close to an hour, said the CPP won independence for the nation, and was poised to solve the problems of the nation when given the mandate by the Ghanaians.

The CPP flag bearer, who was accompanied by party executives, noted that with the determination of the CPP to ensure credible elections, he had warned all his supporters not to engage in any acrimonious campaign, adding that the upcoming general elections was not a battle of physical strength, but battle of ideas and minds.

According to him, the CPP was ever ready to accept the decision of the electorate whether or not the decision was in his favour, assuring the electorate that the CPP would never undermine the credibility of the EC.

Ghanaians, he noted were looking for a change and the alternative to the ruling party was the CPP. Dr. Ndoum maintained that should the decision go against him, he would be the first person to concede defeat and pave way for peace.

The CPP Presidential candidate, in the company of his wife and running mate, Dr. Abu Sakara, urged Ghanaians to vote for the CPP for peace to prevail.

Mr. Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah, the Independent Presidential candidate, argued with the EC when he was questioned on some defects on his nomination papers. His nomination papers were suspended because they were incomplete and he was asked to complete it for submission today.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the EC, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, has appealed to all the Presidential candidates to conduct clean and clear campaign.

The occasion would have been excellent had it not been for some few occasional confusion that erupted during the turn of the National Democratic Congress, which had to be intervened by the party's hierarchy, unlike that of the New Patriotic Party and the Convention People's Party, which was marked with thorough discipline.

When Nana Addo arrived there was no confusion at the entrance to the offices of the Electoral Commission, since both security guards and the party functionaries had made it clear to the party supporters from the onset that the event was for only party executives.

Akufo-Addo was followed by the NDC's Prof. John Atta Mills who arrived at about 12noon, after the supporters of the NPP were cleared from the area by the police, to prevent clashes; notwithstanding, there were some few loitering around.

Mr. Nii Lante Vanderpuye, the director of operations at the office of the NDC flag bearer and other key figures were the first people who got to the venue ahead of their candidate. Prior to Prof. Mills entering the conference room of the EC, the entrance was jammed packed as party members wanted to force their way into the hall, while others vented their anger on the security officials at the gate and labelling them as NPP sympathizers.

When the security men tried to explain to them that the gate would be opened to only the press and the party executives, they accused the gatemen of being biased, and alleged that when it was the turn of the NPP they allowed into the hall all party members of the party

The confusion at the entrance led to a scuffle, resulting in the closure of the gate with some party members fighting among themselves.

Nii Lante intervened and saw to it that there was order before Prof Mills arrived, but again the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Hon E.T. Mensah was spotted verbally assaulting a reporter over a seat.

"I am not a labourer, I'm an accountant, if you don't know," Mr. Mensah raged at the reporter.