EC considers reviewing filing fees

The Electoral Commission (EC) has said it is considering whether or not to review the filing fees for presidential and parliamentary candidates after some political parties described the fees as exorbitant.

After an Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Thursday September 8, the EC announced that parliamentary candidates will have to file their nomination at a fee of GHC10,000 while presidential candidates are expected to pay GHC50,000.

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has accused the EC of using the price hikes as a means to stifle democracy, an assertion the EC has denied.

Speaking to Class News, Deputy Head of Communications for the EC, Alhassan Yusif Ayuba, said the review will determine whether or not the fees would be reduced.

“The commission will look into the concerns and if there is a need for it to be reviewed, the commission will do that but if we look at it and think that it should be maintained, it will be communicated to the political parties,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the All People’s Congress (APC) led by Hassan Ayariga has welcomed the amount quoted by the EC and has even suggested an upward adjustment of the GHS50,000 filing fee for presidential candidates to GHS120,000 arguing that desiring the highest office of the land must not be taken for granted.