The Tribune (Blantyre)
Singayazi Kaminjolo
30 December 2008
OPPOSITION Malawi Democratic Union (MDU) says the newly hiked nomination fees for both presidential and parliamentary candidates are a threat to democracy.
MDU leader Amunandife Mkumba says the exorbitant fees are a systematic marginalization of the poor in political participation.
He says it is a move that will promote politics of the elite in a nation where majority are languishing in poverty.
“Most of our members aspiring for parliament cannot afford K100, 000. It means we’ll field few candidates than we had earlier planned. Not many people can afford that kind of money,” Mkumba said.
Mkumba said that being poor doesn’t necessarily mean one lacks wisdom to contribute to national development.
He said the electoral body have denied intelligent but poor people the opportunity of serving the country in parliament.
“We have poor but intelligent people in our communities who could contribute much in Parliament. Now the country will have a situation where Parliament will be composed of rich people but lacking in substance,” Mkumba said.
While Mkumba with his party is crying foul, Public Affairs Committee (PAC) executive member Imran Shareef justified Mec decision saying K100, 000 is reasonable considering the nature of the job.
Shareef said the trend in politics all over the world is favoring the rich but this he said does not mean the poor are sidelined.
“Voting a rich man in Parliament does not mean the interests of the poor are not represented. It is the person you are voting for,” explained Shareef.
He said the job of a parliamentarian involves a lot of responsibilities.
“One has to show credibility that he or she is up to the task. Being able to pay the fee means the person is serious for the responsibility ahead. It is just one way of making sure that those who compete are up to the task,” he said.
He said campaign exercise alone requires a lot of expenses.
He said in the United States you have in your account a certain amount of money to be eligible for public office.
Shareef also expressed satisfaction in the way Mec is handling the registration process.
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