Dr. Hassan Ayariga, Founder and Flagbearer of the All Peoples Congress (APC), has leveled serious allegations against the Electoral Commission (EC), accusing them of commercializing the highest office in the land.
Ayariga’s criticism stems from the EC’s recent decision to set presidential filing fees at GHS100,000 and parliamentary fees at GHS10,000.
Speaking on ‘Focus on ABC’ with Joshua Ayira on Thursday, 29th August, 2024, Ayariga said, “I disagree with the GHS100,000 fee for presidential candidates and GHS10,000 for parliamentarians,” Ayariga stated, asserting, “What the EC is essentially doing is auctioning off the Office of the President to the highest bidder.”
Ayariga argued that the exorbitant fees effectively exclude aspiring leaders without substantial financial means.
“If you don’t have money, you are out of the game,” he lamented, suggesting that the electoral process now favors wealth over merit.
“We are witnessing a scenario where financial capacity, rather than leadership ability, dictates candidacy,” Ayariga added, underscoring his concern that such practices undermine the democratic ideals of fair and equal representation.
Ayariga also highlighted the disparity between these fees and the economic realities faced by ordinary citizens.
“In a country where the per capita income is less than $5, demanding GHS100,000 just to obtain a nomination form goes against the principles of democratic participation,” he argued.
He concluded by condemning what he sees as a worrying trend towards increasing monetization in electoral processes, urging reforms to ensure that leadership contests remain accessible to all eligible citizens, regardless of their financial status.
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