Guineans have reacted with shock after it was announced that presidential candidates would need to pay a deposit of 875 million Guinean francs (approximately $100,000) to contest December's elections, which aim to transition power from the military to civilian rule.
Since Colonel Mamady Doumbouya's coup in 2021, Guinea has been under military governance. The upcoming elections are framed under a new constitution allowing Doumbouya to run, although he has not yet declared his candidacy.
Critics have raised concerns about the high deposit, which some analysts had hoped would be lowered to encourage broader participation in these pivotal elections. Political analyst Kabinet Fofana noted, This amount is huge. This decision adds to the growing criticism against the general direction of elections.
Contrary to previous deposits, which were around 800 million francs, candidates who receive over 5% of the vote in the first round will have their deposit returned. Supporters of the regulation argue it ensures only credible candidates participate.
However, previous presidential candidate Faya Millimono highlighted the significant increase in fees over the years, pointing out that the deposit used to be as low as 50 million Guinean francs before escalating.
Participation costs in Ghana's elections are among the highest in the region, with comparisons drawn to Nigeria's fee of $67,000 and Cameroon's $53,000. Critics argue these figures excluse all but the wealthy from serious candidacy and restrict genuine democracy.
So far, around 50 candidates from political parties and 16 independents have been approved to run, while major opposition parties remain absent from the provisional list. With leaders like Alpha Condé and Cellou Dalein Diallo in exile, Guinea approaches a critical juncture in its political evolution.
