High presidential & parliamentary filing fees expose the candidates to manipulation of financiers – Kofi Abotsi

Whenever candidates are compelled to pay high filing fees by the Electoral Commission (EC), the elections management body worsens the financial plight of the parties, the Dean of the Law School at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, (UPSA), Professor Kofi Abotsi, has said.

In the view of Prof Abotsi, the high fees expose the aspirants to the manipulation of financiers who he describes as ‘the next generation of corrupt actors.’

Filing fees have no basis in the constitution for an institution that is publicly funded,’ he said in a post on his X platform.

The commission recently announced the nomination fees for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.

The EC said that male presidential candidates must pay GH¢100,000, while female candidates and persons with disabilities will pay GH¢75,000.

“Candidates vying for the position of President will be required to make a payment of One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢100,000.00) at the time of submitting their Nomination Forms. Payment shall be by Banker’s draft and addressed to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.

“Female Candidates and Persons with Disabilities are required to pay Seventy-Five Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢75,000),” part of the statement read.