Rawlings Unsure Aspirants Can Rely On Salaries To Pay Filing Fees

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has stressed that he is not sure flag bearer aspirants of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who has served with integrity will be able to raise the GH₵400,000 filing fees announced by the party if they are to rely on their salaries.

General Secretary for the Party Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia disclosed last Thursday that presidential aspirants in the up-coming primaries are to pay GH₵400,000 as a filing fee.

The party agreed that nomination forms should sell at GH¢20,000. However, female candidates will pay 50 per cent less, thus GH¢200,000 of the filing fee whilst there is an additional reduction for aspirants with physical disabilities GH¢150,000.

Reacting to the huge sum of money following criticism from the aspirants, Rawlings has expressed concerned as he believes it is too high. He has therefore called on the National Executive Committee (NEC) to revise the decision to ask for such amount.

“I doubt if anyone of us who has served with integrity, relying on our salaries can raise these filing fees unless we engaged in some unethical behavior while in office; Unless we abused or misused our positions during our tenure,” the Founder first gentleman of Ghana bemoaned when the newly elected NEC of the party called on him at his Ridge office last Friday.

The founder of the NDC further advised the NEC to rethink their decision and make efforts to find different avenues to raise money for the financing of the main opposition party’s presidential elections.