Repeal filing fee law - Law lecturer tells MPs

Legal practitioner and law lecturer at the Central University, Yaw Oppong has called on Members of Parliament to repeal part of the Act of Parliament that directs presidential aspirants to pay filing fees.

In his view, the Constitution gives every Ghanaian who meets the requirement for becoming a President to pick up nomination forms, fill and submit them without paying money.

“Why then would an Act of Parliament deny an aspirant of filing simply because he or she cannot pay the fee demanded by the Electoral Commission?” He asked

The law lecturer added further that it is clear the EC does not need the money since the state in her responsibility pays for the election budget.

Besides, all presidential candidates who win twenty-five percent of total votes in the general elections shall have their monies given back to them; thus it is apparent payment of filing fees limits the rights of people.

He therefore reiterated that the EC and Parliament should reconsider that aspect of the law.