by Fidelis Mac-Leva
Prof. Jega Attahiru
for party registration - The
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed an upward
review in the ‘administrative fee’ for political associations seeking
registration as political parties from the current N100, 000 to N1
million.
The review which drew mixed reactions
by stakeholders was contained in the draft of new guidelines for
political parties which were presented to all the registered political
parties during a consultative meeting with INEC in Abuja yesterday.
In addition to the new administrative
fee for party registration, INEC also proposes to carry out inspection
of the national headquarters of political associations seeking
registration to verify the claims of the association for registration.
Similarly, every association seeking
registration as a political party, under the new guidelines, is expected
to submit 50 copies of the minutes at which the name, symbol or logo of
the association in addition to submitting 50 copies each of the
proposed party constitution and manifesto and minutes of the meeting of
members of the association indicating approval and adoption of both.
The new guidelines also requires
associations seeking registration as political parties to provide
evidence of valid occupation their national headquarters in the Federal
Capital Territory while the Commission shall carry out inspection of the
national headquarters to confirm the continued existence and
functioning of the address as the party’s national headquarters.
Addressing representatives of
registered political parties at the consultative meeting, INEC chairman,
Attahiru Jega said the commission had also worked out a plan for the
delimitation of constituencies which it shall strive to carry out before
the 2015 elections.
Reacting to the development,Acting
national secretary of the PDP, Solomon Onwe said the proposed N1million
administrative fee by INEC was on the high side and would deny many
Nigerians the opportunity of registering associations as political
parties.
On his part, the national secretary of
the ANPP, Tijani Tumsah, said the consultative meeting was a noble
initiative by INEC, adding that it would go a long way in making
improvements in the electoral process, especially ahead of the 2015
general elections.
DailyTrust
Russians threaten to
leave Cyprus over IMF deposits tax
Added by Ehi on March 20, 2013.
Saved under World News
Tags: Cyprus, Deposit tax, Imf, Limassol, russians, World
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Protests in Cyprus over bailout tax
Protests in Cyprus over bailout tax
LIMASSOL, Cyprus(AFP) – Angry Russian residents of Cyprus are talking of
giving up on the Mediterranean island over a eurozone bailout deal
which they say unfairly targets their money.
“We are asking ourselves if we should stay here,” says Anastasia, a
young Russian who grew up in the southern coastal city of Limassol,
nicknamed “Limassolgrad” for the tens of thousands of Russians who live
there.
“We trusted this country and its banks, then all of a sudden they take
our money,” she says.
The Cypriot parliament voted on Tuesday to reject a debt bailout deal
which included an unprecedented one-time levy on bank savings of up to
9.9 percent, to raise 5.8 billion euros ($7.47 billion) in return for a
10 billion euro rescue package.
Figures vary but the Moody’s rating firm estimates that Russian
companies and banks keep up to $31 billion on the Mediterranean island,
which accounts for between a third and half of all Cypriot deposits.
“Cyprus was a paradise until it joined the eurozone,” said Yana, who
works for a real estate agent on the Limassol seafront.
“But in recent months the Cypriots have started to point fingers at us.
We feel more and more like foreigners here,” she says.
“Some think they are in this situation because of the Russian money, and
others are jealous.”
Yana’s colleague and fellow Russian, Tatiana, said that as soon as the
banks reopen “the Russians are going to transfer their money”.
“We’re not going to give the island a second chance.”
As a condition for the desperately-needed Cyprus bailout, fellow
eurozone countries and international creditors on Saturday agreed a levy
on all deposits in the island’s banks.
Under a revised plan, drafted on Tuesday in response to an angry
backlash at home, the bank levy was dropped on savings below 20,000
euros but retained at 6.75 percent on deposits of 20,000-100,000 euros
and at 9.9 percent for amounts above 100,000.
Of the estimated 5.8 billion euros which the measures would yield,
nearly two or three billion would have come from Russians living on the
island, analysts said.
After parliament rejected it, the government was expected to try to
renegotiate the terms of the deal with the EU and IMF, although with no
clear options on how to make up the 5.8 billion euro shortfall.
In Limassol, a city of four-star hotels, luxury cars, fur retailers and
trendy restaurants, the Russian community has its own radio station,
newspapers and schools.
“All the Russians are hanging on a conclusion to this crisis. We give
them information hour by hour, trying not to make them afraid. Aside
from that, we prefer to keep quiet,” says Ilias Antoniades, a Cypriot
who manages the Russian Wave radio station.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, who regretted the Cyprus
parliament vote, on Tuesday said that “whoever (invested) his money in
countries where they (paid) lower taxes” ought to assume responsibility,
a message to the Russian fortunes in Cyprus.
Several analysts said the levy meant to ensure that Brussels did not
spend billions propping up possibly ill-gotten gains of Russia’s
super-rich that may be kept in Cypriot accounts.
“People put clean money in the banks. The mafia put theirs in safe boxes
but they aren’t touched. It’s the more honest ones who are punished,”
said an angry Larissa, who owns Rus Market minimart.
“Me, I pay my taxes, I do my accounts. I don’t have any dirty money,”
the Russian woman in her 40s said.
“All my customers are telling me that Cyprus, for them, is finished.”
One Limassol banker estimated that 30 percent of foreign clients are
going to leave.
“Some want to keep their head offices here but they will send part of
their funds elsewhere, to dilute the risk,” said the banker who declined
to be named.
Antonis, who manages a restaurant frequented almost exclusively by
Russians, said targeting Russian money is unjust.
“I don’t know if all the Russian money here is clean. But it’s no better
in Germany or in England. Over there the oligarchs buy football clubs,”
he said.
A fur merchant simply fumed: “It’s the end of my business.”
Read More at http://www.naijacenter.com/russians-threaten-to-leave-cyprus-over-imf-deposits-tax/, Copyright © Naija Center News
Russians threaten to
leave Cyprus over IMF deposits tax
Added by Ehi on March 20, 2013.
Saved under World News
Tags: Cyprus, Deposit tax, Imf, Limassol, russians, World
464
inShare
1
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Share on Tumblr
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Protests in Cyprus over bailout tax
Protests in Cyprus over bailout tax
LIMASSOL, Cyprus(AFP) – Angry Russian residents of Cyprus are talking of
giving up on the Mediterranean island over a eurozone bailout deal
which they say unfairly targets their money.
“We are asking ourselves if we should stay here,” says Anastasia, a
young Russian who grew up in the southern coastal city of Limassol,
nicknamed “Limassolgrad” for the tens of thousands of Russians who live
there.
“We trusted this country and its banks, then all of a sudden they take
our money,” she says.
The Cypriot parliament voted on Tuesday to reject a debt bailout deal
which included an unprecedented one-time levy on bank savings of up to
9.9 percent, to raise 5.8 billion euros ($7.47 billion) in return for a
10 billion euro rescue package.
Figures vary but the Moody’s rating firm estimates that Russian
companies and banks keep up to $31 billion on the Mediterranean island,
which accounts for between a third and half of all Cypriot deposits.
“Cyprus was a paradise until it joined the eurozone,” said Yana, who
works for a real estate agent on the Limassol seafront.
“But in recent months the Cypriots have started to point fingers at us.
We feel more and more like foreigners here,” she says.
“Some think they are in this situation because of the Russian money, and
others are jealous.”
Yana’s colleague and fellow Russian, Tatiana, said that as soon as the
banks reopen “the Russians are going to transfer their money”.
“We’re not going to give the island a second chance.”
As a condition for the desperately-needed Cyprus bailout, fellow
eurozone countries and international creditors on Saturday agreed a levy
on all deposits in the island’s banks.
Under a revised plan, drafted on Tuesday in response to an angry
backlash at home, the bank levy was dropped on savings below 20,000
euros but retained at 6.75 percent on deposits of 20,000-100,000 euros
and at 9.9 percent for amounts above 100,000.
Of the estimated 5.8 billion euros which the measures would yield,
nearly two or three billion would have come from Russians living on the
island, analysts said.
After parliament rejected it, the government was expected to try to
renegotiate the terms of the deal with the EU and IMF, although with no
clear options on how to make up the 5.8 billion euro shortfall.
In Limassol, a city of four-star hotels, luxury cars, fur retailers and
trendy restaurants, the Russian community has its own radio station,
newspapers and schools.
“All the Russians are hanging on a conclusion to this crisis. We give
them information hour by hour, trying not to make them afraid. Aside
from that, we prefer to keep quiet,” says Ilias Antoniades, a Cypriot
who manages the Russian Wave radio station.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, who regretted the Cyprus
parliament vote, on Tuesday said that “whoever (invested) his money in
countries where they (paid) lower taxes” ought to assume responsibility,
a message to the Russian fortunes in Cyprus.
Several analysts said the levy meant to ensure that Brussels did not
spend billions propping up possibly ill-gotten gains of Russia’s
super-rich that may be kept in Cypriot accounts.
“People put clean money in the banks. The mafia put theirs in safe boxes
but they aren’t touched. It’s the more honest ones who are punished,”
said an angry Larissa, who owns Rus Market minimart.
“Me, I pay my taxes, I do my accounts. I don’t have any dirty money,”
the Russian woman in her 40s said.
“All my customers are telling me that Cyprus, for them, is finished.”
One Limassol banker estimated that 30 percent of foreign clients are
going to leave.
“Some want to keep their head offices here but they will send part of
their funds elsewhere, to dilute the risk,” said the banker who declined
to be named.
Antonis, who manages a restaurant frequented almost exclusively by
Russians, said targeting Russian money is unjust.
“I don’t know if all the Russian money here is clean. But it’s no better
in Germany or in England. Over there the oligarchs buy football clubs,”
he said.
A fur merchant simply fumed: “It’s the end of my business.”
Read More at http://www.naijacenter.com/russians-threaten-to-leave-cyprus-over-imf-deposits-tax/, Copyright © Naija Center News
Rajo
Verma, 21, lives in a one-room shack with all five, sleeping with a
different one each night on a rota. The housewife has no idea which one
is the father of her toddler son. She said: “Initially it felt a bit
awkward. But I don’t favour one over the other.”
