44 Political Parties confirmed for 2017 National Elections

The Registry of Political Parties has confirmed that only 44 political parties will contest in the 2017 National Elections.

Registrar of Political Parties Dr Alphonse Gelu said that the Registry will continue the processes of registering political parties but it will not allow them to contest in this election.

He explained that it takes about two months to register a political party before the issue of writs and therefore a political party must be registered two months before the issue of writs.

“It takes a process of two months therefore if anyone wants to register a political party now to take part in this elections, it will not be possible.

“But the process will continue, we can register a political party but they will have to contest in the next national elections,” Dr Gelu said.

Dr Gelu added that the Registry is fully aware of the increase in the number of political partities.

He said that while the Registry feels that the number is too high, it is the Constitution that gives the citizens the right to form political parties.

The registration fee for a political party is K10,000.

Author: 
Quintina Naime