He explained that nomination fee for presidential candidates is at half a million Malawi Kwacha -K500, 000 (US$3, 570).
Parliamentary aspirants will pay a nomination fee of K100, 000 (US$714) to contest in the general elections.
President of Congress for Democrats (Code), Ralph Kasambara said his party will be in court Friday for the hearing of the judicial review on the matter.
Kasambara said they will move the court on Friday to expedite the matter so that it can be concluded on the same day of earlier on Monday before nomination process starts.
He argues that the fees are prohibitive to people willing to contest in the general elections.
It is to say politics is for the very rich. The high fees are unconstitutional, unjustifiable and a hindrance to people's participation in a democratic elections, said Kasambara.
The former Attorney General said MEC which was formed by an act of Parliament in 1998 is charged with the responsibility of conducting elections in compliance with the Republican Constitutions and described the fees as unconstitutional.
Kasambara said Section 40 of the constitution stipulated that every person has a right to stand for political office but the prohibitive fees will be violating the right.
It's a staggering figure. MEC is not in business of fundraising money for elections. The amount should be reasonable, said CODE president.
Nomination process for candidates is set to begin from February 3 as Malawians will be going to polls on May 19, 2008.
Post published in: News