By SIMON MUNTEMBA
WE deliberately hiked the application fees for adoption as a way of raising money for our popular candidates that may not be able to fund their campaigns, the opposition UPND has said.
Last week UPND aspiring candidates complained against the K5, 000 application fee being charged by their party describing it as exorbitant and discriminatory against humbled members.
The candidates complained that the K2, 000 fee charged by the PF for Parliamentary candidates was more reasonable and fair compared to UPND’s.
But UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said contrary to assertions that fees were discriminatory against humble members, the opposition party came up with the K5,000 fee to help economically challenged candidates.
Mr Mweetwa said well-meaning UPND members should not complain against the fees because the party will use part of the funds to sponsor economically challenged candidates.
“So, we considered a number of factors before coming up with that figure. We want to use part of that money to fund campaigns for popular female, youthful and physically challenged candidates who may have difficulties in financing their campaigns,” Mr Mweetwa said.
Mr Mweetwa said it was shocking that people were complaining about K5, 000 fee being charged for aspiring candidates when it was the same figure used in 2016.
