HARARE – Two female politicians who have declared their bid to run for president have slammed the Zanu PF dominated parliament’s recent decision to uphold exorbitant candidate nomination fees pegged by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) saying they have unjustifiably placed the cost of seeking political office beyond the reach of many.

Under the controversial fee structure, candidates will each part with US$20,000 to run for president while those seeking to contest for national assembly seats will pay US$1,000.

The fees, widely described as anti-democracy by broader society, were successfully challenged through the courts by an opposition leader leading to a Constitutional Court order for parliament to scrutinise them for their legality or lack of.

The fees are also viewed as unfavourable to marginalised groups such as youths and people with disabilities intending to seek election to political office.

Reacting to the decision, United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) president Elisabeth Valerio said apart from their exorbitant nature, Zimbabwean authorities exposed their hypocrisy through pegging them in US dollars.

“Our party is worried by the latest development because the opportunity for candidates to contest in this election is being compromised by the exorbitant fees.

“Contesting in elections should not be the preserve for the elite and this latest development by parliament is segregatory.

“It strips away all possibility for participation by potential election contestants who may not have the required resources,” said Valerio.

Post 2018 elections, women representation in local government declined from 16% to 14% and at least 1,156 women (17% of the total) contested the local government seats.

Women’s representation in parliament also fell from 34% to 31%.

Added Valerio, “The stance taken by the Zanu PF dominated parliament simply proves the usual complaint that ZEC is not independent but an agent or mouthpiece of Zanu PF.

“It shows clearly that the exorbitant fees originated from Zanu PF headquarters and were merely passed on to ZEC to announce.

“The Constitution of Zimbabwe is clear that the state should ensure that its citizens’ political rights are protected and these include running for political office.

“When running for political office becomes a preserve of the rich, we are no longer guaranteeing the political rights of citizens.”

Labour, Economists and African Democrats party (LEAD), leader Linda Masarira also lamented the exorbitant charges for being “unjustified, discriminatory and bent on elbowing women from contesting positions of public office”.

“The candidate nomination fees are beyond the reach of many women in Zimbabwe who still struggle to make ends meet considering the harsh economic climate,” she said.

“We feel that the nomination fees are discriminatory and are elbowing out women in political participation for the highest office of the land and governance processes in Zimbabwe.

“The current government is creating a situation where capitalists, the corrupt, elite, and thieves, are only eligible to run for the highest office of the land.”