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Guineans woke up to the news that anyone running for president in December must pay a huge deposit of 875 million Guinean francs (about \$100,000; £75,000). The vote is meant to bring back civilian rule after the military took over.
Colonel Mamady Doumbouya has led the country since a 2021 coup. A new constitution means he can run for president, though he has not said if he will.
The previous deposit was already high at 800 million francs. Many hoped it would be reduced so more people could take part in this important election. Instead, the cost has gone up.
“This amount is huge,” political analyst Kabinet Fofana told the BBC. “This decision adds to the growing criticism against the general direction of elections.”
Candidates who secure more than 5% of the vote in the first round will have their deposit returned. Officials argue that the high deposit helps ensure only serious contenders run for office. Presidential hopeful Faya Millimono disagrees, pointing out that the required amount used to be much lower.
“Until 2005, the deposit never exceeded 50 million [Guinean francs]. The madness began in 2010, when it was thought necessary to block certain candidates. The amount went from 50 million to 400 million, and today we’re talking about 900 million.”
The costs of participating in the elections are some of the highest in the region.
In 2022, the Nigerian electoral commission set a fee of 100m naira ($67,000 at the current rate – at the time it was more than $200,000) sparking widespread criticism.
In Cameroon, the election deposit stands at $53,000, while in Ivory Coast it is $90,000.
Guinea’s electoral commission has also set a campaign spending cap of 40 billion Guinean francs ($4.6m; £3.5m) for each candidate. One contestant argues these financial requirements send a message that only the wealthy, or those with access to state resources, can take part competitively.
So far, 50 party candidates and 16 independents have been approved. However, the country’s major opposition parties, including the Rally of the People of Guinea (RPG Arc-en-Ciel) led by former President Alpha Condé and the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG) headed by ex-Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo, are not yet on the provisional list, although they still have time to register.
Guinea is set for an election without Condé, who was removed from power by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, as well as Diallo and former Prime Minister Sidya Touré of the Union of Republican Forces (UFR). All three are currently living abroad.
