ZEC candidate fees

Jun 16, 2023

Our party, UZA is concerned by the latest development where the National House of Assembly’s Parliamentary Legal Committee on Wednesday presented a non-adverse report on Statutory Instrument 144. They have okayed the high nomination fees for the forthcoming general elections.

According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, presidential candidates will be expected to pay with US$20,000, legislators US$1,000 and councillors and senators US$100 to contest in the forthcoming elections slated for August 2023.

Our party believes that because Zimbabwe has its own currency, the nomination fees should not be pegged in United States dollars but in our own local currency which should be reasonable and not beyond the reach of many.

Our party is worried by the latest development because the opportunity for candidates to contest in this election is being compromised by the exorbitant fees. Contesting in the elections should not be a preserve of the elite and this latest development by parliament is segregatory. It strips away all possibility for participation by potential election contestants who may not have the required resources.

The stance taken by the ZANU PF dominated parliament simply proves the usual complaint that ZEC is not independent but an agent or mouthpiece of ZANU PF. It shows clearly that the exorbitant fees originated from ZANU PF headquarters and were merely passed on to ZEC to announce.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe is clear that the state should ensure that its citizens’ political rights are protected and these include running for political office. When running for political office becomes a preserve of the rich, we are no longer guaranteeing the political rights of citizens.

As President of UZA, I am therefore saddened by the uneven political playing field as we go into this election. We once more call on government to urgently review these nomination fees and ensure that they allow the citizens of Zimbabwe to run for political office as enshrined in our Constitution.

As a government in waiting, we pledge to ensure that the electoral environment allows every Zimbabwean to participate as both contestants and voters. We guarantee inclusive democracy where aspiring candidates’ rights will be protected.