Malawi former President JB demands reduction of electoral nomination fees;,,,says its prohibitive for low income aspirants

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The former Malawi President Joyce Banda (JB) on Thursday demanded the reduction of nomination fees for aspirants in the forthcoming general elections.

JB who is also People’s Party (PP) leader observed that the fees which Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced this week is prohibitive for low income aspirants.

The former Malawi leader said the fees will only favour the rich denying those able aspirants due to exorbitant charges.

The PP leader was addressing the end of year rally at Area 23 Police ground in the capital Lilongwe where among other she outlined another campaign promises ahead of 2019 general elections.

This follows MEC’s nomination fees announcement that Presidential candidates are required to pay MK2 million each and aspiring males Members of Parliament (MP) to pay MK500, 000 each while aspiring female candidates to pay MK200, 000 each.

MEC also says, aspiring males councilors to pay MK40, 000 and for the females councilors to pay MK20, 000 respectively.

“Where will aspirants MP going to get such amount money for fees. This is so prohibitive for low income able individuals who could have helped their communities. Therefore, I demand the reduction of the fees that every able aspirants be take part in this elections,” fumed JB.

But MEC Chief Election Officer Samuel Alufandika sunbed JB request saying reduction of the fees requires the change of electoral laws.

Alufandika reminded politicians on what they agreed before the announcement of the fees arguing that the commission gave enough time for aspirants to prepare for nominations charges.

“It’s hard now to reduce the nomination fees as it had to go through law processes that even political parties were given enough time to prepare for these charges. So, we can’t just change now. It’s impossible,” challenges Alufandika.

The nomination letters are expected to reach MEC by 4 February 2019 to 8 February 2019.

Maravi Post Reporter

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