August 23 a festival of Backsliding and elitism
If an electoral process is inaccessible to the poor then it is far from free or fair . The recent decision of passing exorbitant nomination fees for candidates is one that has deprived the poor majority their right to be voted for . It clearly sets out an elitist and exclusive election. It’s a case of democratic backsliding blindly aimed at financially frustrating opposition. Parliament okayed the unrealistic nomination fees put by ZEC despite facing opposition from citizens. The nomination fees are US $ 20 000 , US $ 1000 , US$ 200 for presidential , parliamentary , council and party list candidates respectively. What is backsliding ? This is when systems , processes and institutions of a democracy are used to reverse the gains and impede the progression of democracy itself. Brutal onslaught on the poor Reader the minimum wage for workers in our country is set at US $150 ( NCEAZ, 2023 ) meaning the majority of our people are poor. 50% of our people are living in...