Seven Civic Society Organizations (CSOs) have petitioned the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), demanding an immediate revision of the exorbitant candidate nomination fees.

The nomination fees, as per Statutory Instrument 144 of 2022, currently stand at US$20,000 for presidential candidates, payable in cash or the prevailing official rate equivalent and candidates for Parliament must pay US$1,000, while Proportional Representation party lists for Parliament and Provincial Councils are requested to pay US$100.

The CSOs argue that the current fees pose a significant barrier to political participation, particularly for marginalized groups such as young people, women, and persons with disabilities.

“We demand that, for the 2023 General Elections, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) urgently effect a downward revision of the candidate nomination fees to the rates that were used during the 2018 General Elections, that is US$1000.00 for the President and US$50.00 for the Constituent Members of Parliament.”

The petition was signed by youth and development advocacy group WELEAD Trust, Magamba Network, Institute for Young Women’s Development (IYWD), Youth Decide Zimbabwe, Junior Court Club, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association and Accountability Lab Zimbabwe.

Originally published in 263 Chat

Kibo Ngowi