Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the state independent electoral commissions (SIECOMs) have been urged to reduce fees payable by political office seekers at all levels.

According to Ceoafrica, the chairman, Community for Peace and Corrupt Free Society in Nigeria, Ahmad Zakari Ngoroje, who said this in an interview in Abuja, noted that high cost of nomination and expression of interest forms increased chances of corruption by the time candidates won elections.

He said those who raised money from other sources to pay for the forms would first try to recoup their money, including other investments they made to get to the office before thinking of delivering services to the people.

“Reducing the charges will also pave the way for many competent but financially incapacitated politicians to test their popularity by getting the zeal to contest for political offices to contribute in nation building”, he said.