Guineans have reacted with disbelief after authorities announced that anyone seeking to contest in December’s presidential election must pay a deposit of $100 000.
The vote is expected to end more than three years of military rule and return the country to civilian leadership.
Guinea has been under the control of Colonel Mamady Doumbouya since he overthrew former President Alpha Condé in a coup in 2021. The upcoming election will be held under a new constitution that allows Doumbouya to run for office, although he has not yet revealed whether he will do so.
The steep candidacy fee has drawn criticism from many Guineans and political analysts, who fear it could limit participation and undermine the credibility of the transition process.
Although the previous deposit was set at nearly $1 billion, an amount widely considered unrealistic, there had been hopes the figure would be significantly reduced to encourage broader competition in these landmark elections.
Instead, the newly announced fee has fuelled fresh debate about transparency, inclusivity, and the military-led government’s commitment to a genuine democratic handover.
–ChannelAfrica–
