A new electoral regulation in Guinea requiring prospective presidential candidates to pay a deposit of US$100,000 has sparked widespread anger and accusations of political exclusion ahead of the country’s long-awaited transition to civilian rule.
The decree, announced this week by Guinea’s transitional electoral commission, mandates that any individual seeking to contest the upcoming presidential election must submit the non-refundable payment as part of their nomination. Critics say the decision favors wealthy elites and undermines democratic participation in a country still recovering from years of military governance.
Political parties, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens have condemned the move, describing it as an attempt to limit competition and silence voices from smaller parties. “This is not democracy; it’s discrimination by wealth,” said Amadou Diallo, leader of a minor opposition group in Conakry. “How can a young politician or an independent candidate raise such an amount in a country where most people live on less than two dollars a day?”
The ruling military junta, led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, has defended the decision, arguing that the high deposit is meant to discourage unserious candidates and ensure only credible contenders participate. Officials also pointed out that the fee would help finance the organization of the elections scheduled for early 2026.
However, activists and analysts have warned that the policy could backfire by deepening public mistrust in the transition process. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS and international observers have been closely monitoring Guinea’s progress since Doumbouya seized power in a 2021 coup, promising a return to democratic rule after years of instability.
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“The move risks delegitimizing the entire transition process,” said political analyst Fatoumata Bah. “Instead of promoting accountability and fairness, it sends a message that leadership is for sale.”
Protests erupted in parts of Conakry following the announcement, with demonstrators demanding that the electoral body revoke the fee and adopt more inclusive measures. Security forces were deployed around government offices to prevent unrest.
Guinea, a resource-rich but impoverished nation, has faced repeated political crises and coups since gaining independence from France in 1958. Many citizens hoped the upcoming elections would mark a new chapter of stability and representation.
As outrage grows, opposition groups have vowed to challenge the rule both legally and through public mobilization, insisting that democracy must remain open to all — not just the wealthy few.