By Scoop Reporter
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it has revised, downwards, the nominations fees for presidential candidates participating in the 2021 elections after consultations
Last month, the Commission proposed to revise upwards, nomination fees for candidates ahead of the 2021 General elections with male candidates asked to pay K150, 000 from K60, 000 which was paid during the previous election while female candidates were to pay K120, 000
This created a ruckus among stakeholders such as political parties and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) who said elections must not be sold to the highest bidders and must not be a preserve for the rich as though it is a fundraising venture for the Commission.
Now ECZ Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse says male presidential aspirants will be required to pay K95, 000 while their female counterparts will pay K75, 000, with youths aspiring to the presidency and people with disabilities required to pay K60, 000 each.
Ms. Chimanse says at parliamentary level, male aspirants will pay K15, 000 while female candidates will be required to pay K13, 500. Youths eyeing parliamentary seats and people with disabilities will pay K10, 000.
She says at mayoral level, male candidates will pay K 15, 000 while their female counterparts will pay K 13, 500 youths and people with disabilities will pay K 10, 000.
She says male candidates aspiring to contest for district chairperson position will pay K 3, 500 while female candidates will pay K 3, 000. Youths and people with disabilities will pay K 2, 500
Male councilors from city and municipal councils will pay K 1, 500 while female candidates will pay K1, 000. Youths and people with disabilities will pay K1, 000. Male candidates intending to contend for the same position at town or district level will pay while female, youths, and people with disabilities will pay K500.
She says this was arrived at after consultation with stakeholders and looking at inflation rates and other costs.
“Following the submissions by the Zambia Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue (ZCID), the United Party for National Development (UPND) and other Stakeholders, the Commission has revised downwards the proposed nomination fees for the 2021 General Elections that are scheduled to be held on 12th August, 2021.
“In considering the adjustment to the proposed nomination fees, the Commission took into account all the stakeholders submissions and concerns, as well as other factors such as inflation, increased cost of conducting nominations and polls, including the issuance of the free Voter Registers to all presidential candidates which cost K610,000.00 per candidate,” Ms. Chimanse said.
