Govt digs in on nomination fees
Sibahle Ndlovu
Government has said it will not reconsider election nomination fees published in the Statutory Instrument (SI) 144, arguing that it’s a closed chapter despite calls to have the fees reviewed downwards.
SI 144 was gazetted on 19 August 2022 and states that a presidential candidate will pay US$20,000, up from US1,000, while a member of parliament (MP) candidate will part with US$1,000 from US$50, and a proportional representation candidate has to fork out US$200 from US$100.
While the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) defended the fees saying they will ensure only serious individuals contest as well as cater for costs to run the polls, various stakeholders have criticized the fees for being discriminatory exclusionist and anti-poor.
In a joint statement, Activista Zimbabwe, Project Vote 263 and ActionAid Zimbabwe (AAZ) said “the increase in candidate nomination fees will disenfranchise marginalized groups such as women, youth, and people with disabilities (PWDs) from running as candidates and reduces chances of their election into public office.”
“These groups already face gendered, age-related, and stigma-based barriers resulting in insufficient political representation, lack of participation in governance and developmental processes, and limited access to life opportunities and means of production.”
Speaking in Parliament recently, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi dismissed questions on what government policy is regarding the review of nomination fees, saying MPs had ample time to deliberate on the issue when the SI was gazetted.
“Statutory Instruments are passed by this august House. This august House which the Honourable Member is a member of passed these statutory instruments and is now asking me because of his own preferences, not the majority here, that I should do something about that statutory instrument. The answer is no!”
“It is surprising that we are approaching the end of the five-year term and Hon. Members are asking questions after the effect. When statutory instruments are published, the Hon. Member was supposed to be on the lookout, raise those questions in here, and ensure that Statutory Instrument does not see the light of the day even after publication. This is subsidiary legislation where you are allowed to publish it. I cannot stand here and answer questions of things that happened and they are a closed chapter,” said Ziyambi.
Speaking during the same session, Hwange Central MP Daniel Molokela asked the Justice Minister what Government policy is to ensure that Section 67 (3) (b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe is enjoyed by all citizens of Zimbabwe.
The minister further argued that the enjoyment of Section 67 is going to be realised when the country goes for elections sometime in August.
Section 67 (3) (b) states that every Zimbabwean citizen has a right to stand for election for public office and, if elected, to hold such office.
