ECZ Lowers Nomination Fees For 2021 Elections

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has announced its decision to reduce proposed nomination fees for the 2021 General Elections, following criticism from the UNPD, the Zambia Centre for Inter-Patty Dialogue and other stakeholders. 

The u-turn comes after the the ECZ initially announced that nomination fees for male parliamentary candidates would be increase from K7,500 to K25,000; while female and youth candidates were expected to pay K20,000. 

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema called the price hike “totally unacceptable”, saying that it restricted politics as the sole preserve of the richest members of Zambian society. 

ECZ Public Relations Manager Margaret Chimanse said that the commission had taken into account submissions from all stakeholders in revising the fees, as well as other factors such as inflation and the increased costs associated with managing polls. 

“The Commission, therefore, wishes, to thank all Political Parties and Stakeholders for the cordial engagement and submissions regarding the proposed nomination fees,”

The new nomination fees bear a substantially reduced price tag, with K15,000 for a male parliamentary candidate, K13,500 for a female candidate and 10,000 for a youth. Presidential nomination fees remain high, with K95,000 for male candidates - an increase on the original fees of K60,000 but down from the June figure of K150,000.