The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) says the country’s electoral body should review the newly gazetted US$20,000 for an individual to participate in the next presidential election and fees for aspiring lawmakers and councilors.
In a statement, ZESN said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s nomination fees, contained in Statutory Instrument 144 of 2022, is a serious dent on the southern African nation’s democracy.
ZEC increased nomination fees for aspiring lawmakers from US$50 to US1,000 per candidate and pegged the fees for those interested in being councilors at US$100.
ZESN said it is cognizant of the dictates of Section 192 of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13, which stipulates that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission can make regulations it deems necessary, with the approval of the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
“However, the steep increase in nomination fees has a bearing on participatory democracy in particular, electoral participation especially for Special Interests Groups such as women, youths and people with disabilities.”
At the same time ZESN urged ZEC to also serious consider scrapping accreditation fees for local observers.
“While accreditation fees for domestic/citizen observers remain on USD10.00, over the years ZESN has been advocating for a waiver on domestic observers to support election observation by ordinary citizens. … Election observation is the bedrock of democracy and is key in assessing whether the electoral process was conducted in accordance with the laws of the country; to assess whether the country’s electoral framework conforms with international/regional principles, norms, standards, and best practices; provides an impartial and accurate appraisal of the electoral environment; provides recommendations for improving electoral processes; promotes confidence in electoral processes; fosters respect for the outcomes of genuine democratic elections and promotes of openness and transparency among others.”
ZESN urged the Ministry of Justice, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs to waiver accreditation fees for domestic observers to enhance the transparency in elections in Zimbabwe.
ZEC said recently that nomination fees are designed to get quality candidates in national elections.