As Guinea prepares for new elections, Cécé 1 Delamou, coordinator of the Front Démocratique de Guinée (FRONDEG) in N'Zérékoré, has spoken out against the non-refund of deposits made by candidates during the legislative and communal elections of May 31, 2026. Delamou, who was also a candidate in the legislative elections, expressed his frustration over the non-payment of these deposits, which he considers an obligation provided for by the electoral code.
According to Delamou, several candidates have not yet received their subsidies, and he doubts that any have recovered their deposits. He believes that honoring previous commitments, specifically the refund of deposits made during the 2026 elections, should be prioritized before organizing new polls. Delamou stated that he had appealed to the Direction Générale des Élections (DGE) through a publication on his Facebook page, highlighting the injustices suffered by candidates in the previous elections.
Delamou emphasized that the payment of subsidies and the refund of deposits are not mere favors from the authorities but rather obligations outlined in the electoral code. He pointed out that candidates who reached the required threshold of 5% should have their deposits refunded. Delamou personally received his subsidy, albeit late, three months after the elections, but the deposits remain unrefunded.
Delamou described the difficulties he faced in trying to recover his deposits, including unproductive meetings with electoral officials. He claimed that the prefectural and regional electoral directors often cited various excuses, such as being busy or ill, to avoid discussing the issue. According to Delamou, refunds of deposits should normally be made within 70 days after the elections.
The FRONDEG coordinator explained that he had initially remained silent, hoping that the delay was due to financial difficulties or other problems. However, with new elections approaching, he decided to speak out, denouncing what he perceives as a refusal to pay or a deliberate attempt to undermine political parties.
Delamou's concerns come as Guinea prepares for new regional and senatorial elections. He stressed the importance of closing the previous electoral process properly, including settling financial matters, before proceeding with new polls. Delamou's situation highlights the challenges faced by some political actors in Guinea.
The issue raised by Delamou may have implications for the upcoming elections in Guinea. As the electoral process unfolds, it remains to be seen how the authorities will address the concerns of candidates who have not received their deposits or subsidies. Delamou's public appeal may draw attention to the need for transparent and efficient electoral processes.
Key points
- Cécé 1 Delamou demands refund of election deposits before upcoming polls in Guinea.
- Non-refund of deposits made by candidates during 2026 elections causes frustration.
- Delamou sees obligation to refund deposits as outlined in electoral code.
