{"id":247065,"date":"2016-09-09T14:04:01","date_gmt":"2016-09-09T14:04:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=247065"},"modified":"2016-09-09T14:04:01","modified_gmt":"2016-09-09T14:04:01","slug":"ecs-ghc50000-filing-fee-too-much-npp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2016\/09\/ecs-ghc50000-filing-fee-too-much-npp\/","title":{"rendered":"EC\u2019s GHc50,000 filing fee too much – NPP"},"content":{"rendered":"

The main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), has criticized the Electoral Commission (EC) for charging what it called\u00a0exorbitant filing fees<\/strong><\/a><\/span> from presidential and parliamentary aspirants.<\/p>\n

The EC at an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on Thursday put\u00a0the filing fee for presidential aspirants at GHc50,000 and GHc10,000 for parliamentary aspirants.<\/p>\n

But the NPP laments that the 400% increase in the filing fee compared to previous elections would only limit participation in the democratic process to a privileged few.<\/p>\n

[contextly_sidebar id=”yiPxPRavSji5jtu1HEC1n8uVTXbaYipU”]Speaking to journalists\u00a0after the IPAC meeting, NPP\u2019s Campaign Manager, Peter Mac Manu, said reviewing the amount would be in the right direction for smaller parties.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, it\u2019s a lot of money. We did question it but it is the decision of the EC that they also don\u2019t want the proliferation of non-existent parties and individuals who come and worry them with their processes. I think there must be a balance of people\u2019s ability to participate in our democracy. Mind you it is not only political parties that present candidates but independent people who are not at this forum also present candidates,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

NDC okays \u2018exorbitant\u2019 filing fees\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) argues that the filing fee is just enough.<\/p>\n

The party insists that the ability to mobilize resources is key for any person seeking to lead the\u00a0country.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Citi News<\/strong>, the party\u2019s Director of Elections, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said though they sympathize with the smaller political parties, they must show resourcefulness.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed; the Electoral Commission has assured us that any political party that is able to get twelve and half percent of the total votes will have their filing fee refunded to them after the election. We are very confident we will get more than twelve and half percent in the coming election so it is an investment. We will invest in our candidate; we will pay and at the end of the day we believe that we will get a refund from the Electoral Commission so we are not too worried.\u201d<\/p>\n

He explained that, at their parliamentary primaries, the aspirants paid GHc10,000 as filing fee \u201cit\u2019s not too much of a big deal for us especially when we are aware that we are entitled to a refund after the election results have been declared.\u201d<\/p>\n

On concerns by the smaller parties, Ofosu Ampofo said they are justified and said \u201cI believe if the Electoral Commission could give a second thought to it, that is ok.But when you want to go into parliament you should be resourceful, so the ticket that enables to be accredited as a parliamentary candidate is your ability to file\u2026even though I agree with the smaller parties that a reduction will be good, they need to also mobilize resources individually and collectively to be able to cross this hurdle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Follow the hashtag <\/em>#GhElections<\/strong> on Social Media for election related stories<\/em><\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n

By: Godwin A. Allotey\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
\nFollow @AlloteyGodwin<\/a>
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