Ghana’s electoral commission has disqualified five presidential aspirants from December’s general election “over defective signatures and fake endorsements” in their nomination papers.

The candidates will be forwarded to the police for further investigation, according to an official statement.

They include Kofi Koranteng (independent), Marricke Kofi Gane (independent), Akwasi Odike (United Progressive Party), Kwasi Busumburu (People’s Action Party) and Agyenim Boateng (United Front Party).

The commission will refund each candidate their 100,000 Ghanian cedi ($17,000; £13,000) filing fee.

A total of 12 aspirants have been cleared to run for the presidency, including incumbent, Nana Akufo-Addo, who is seeking a second five-year term.