According to a Press Statement issued 30th July 2012 by Christiana A.M. Thorpe (Dr.) who is Chief of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), candidates’ nomination fees have been reviewed in accordance with statutory regulations as prescribed in Sections 46.(1) and 60.(5) of the Public Elections Act 2012. The prescribed nomination fees for the 2012 Elections are as follows:

· Councillors should pay Two Million Leones (Le 2,000,000.00)

·  Mayors/Chairpersons should pay Five Million Leones (Le 5,000,000.00)

· Paramount Chief MPs to pay Twenty Five Million Leones (Le 25,000,000.00)

· Parliamentary candidates Twenty Five Million Leones (Le 25,000,000.00)

· Presidential Candidates One Hundred Million Leones (Le 100,000,000.00)

According to the release, a recent brainstorming workshop resolved that the high cost of conducting the forthcoming elections should be partly borne by candidates. The following were given for the review of candidate’s nomination fees:

The 2012 Elections will cost tax payers of Sierra Leone Eighty Eight (88) Billion Leones (20.1 Million Dollars).

This does not include donor contribution of 9.6 Million US Dollars. The prescribed nomination fees will constitute about 23.5 % of the cost to be paid by tax payers. This is justified as we move gradually towards national ownership of our elections.

Additionally, NEC consultation at the sub-regional level with other countries revealed the stated fees are the average for other countries in the West African sub-region.

By Government Notice, Thorpe said the Commission will soon announce for the submission of papers for candidates requiring nomination for various elective offices whilst she gave the Timeline for nomination of candidates for the various elective offices to be as follows:

· Local Council (Mayors/Chairpersons & Councillors) 12th -23rd September 2012

· Paramount Chiefs Members of Parliament 29th September-1st October 2012

· Presidential & Parliamentary 3rd -15th October 2012