Key Facts
—Who. Guinea’s election authority, the Direction générale des élections (DGE), which runs national votes.
—What. Each Senate candidate must pay a deposit of 30 million Guinean francs (about US$3,400), and campaign spending is capped at 300 million francs (about US$34,000).
—When. The decision is dated 18 October 2026, and the Senate vote is set for Sunday, 20 December 2026.
—Deadline. The deposit must be paid at least 50 days before the vote, which is 31 October.
—Rate. We used 8,807 Guinean francs per US dollar, the latest RT close.
—Still unknown. Whether the deposit is refunded, and how many seats are at stake.
This story is part of our coverage of the 2026 US midterm elections. The odds, the key races in Eastern Time and what the vote means for Latin America are in our dossier.
Latest: Democrats Need Four Senate Seats
Guinea’s election authority has set a deposit of 30 million Guinean francs (about US$3,400) for each candidate in the Senate election of 20 December 2026. It also capped campaign spending at 300 million francs (about US$34,000) per candidacy, according to Guineenews.
The vote is part of the military-led government’s return to elected institutions after the coup of September 2021. For US readers, it shows how Guinea, a major bauxite exporter, is rebuilding its political system.
What the Rules Say
The decision, numbered D/1166/MATD/DGE/2026, is dated 18 October 2026 and signed by Georges Abraham Sorry, deputy director general of the DGE. Guineenews published its details on Monday, 19 October.
The deposit must be paid into public treasury accounts at the Central Bank of Guinea (BCRG), with separate accounts for Conakry and each prefecture. Payment is due at least 50 days before the election, which means by 31 October.
The spending cap of 300 million francs applies to each candidacy, and breaking it is a breach of the electoral code with legal penalties. Campaign money must go through an account at an approved bank.
The deposit is based on Article 275 of the electoral code, and the campaign finance rules on Articles 280 and 281. Our conversion uses 8,807 francs per US dollar, the latest RT close.
How the Decision Was Reached
The DGE set up a financial commission on Thursday, 15 October, and gave it three days to report. The commission was led by the national election supervision office, ONASUR, and its president is Mamadou Sanoussy Bah.
Regional elections are set for 29 November, three weeks before the Senate vote. The ruling that sets this calendar was read out on state television on 12 October.
Questions Over the Calendar
Article 201 of the electoral code sets the filing deadline for Senate candidates at 70 days before the vote, which would have been 11 October for 20 December. The official calendar was read out on 12 October, a day later, according to Guinee7.
Reports say candidate filing runs from 20 to 29 October. One analysis cited by Guinee360 says the calendar was issued in breach of the electoral code, and we have not seen a court ruling on that claim.
What It Means for You
Guinea has about 17.5 million people, according to preliminary 2025 census results from the national statistics institute. The size of the deposit will shape which candidates and parties can afford to stand.
Investors in Guinea’s bauxite sector watch these elections as a test of stability. President Mamady Doumbouya was sworn in on 17 January 2026 for a seven-year term after winning the December 2025 vote.
What Is Not Known
The reports do not say whether the deposit is refunded, and they do not say how many Senate seats are up for election. No party or candidate has been quoted as objecting to the amounts.
It is also unclear how the calendar dispute will be settled. Our West Africa section tracks the vote as it develops.
Sources
Guineenews, 19 October 2026 · Guinee7, election calendar · Guineenews, census 2025 preliminary results · allAfrica, presidential inauguration
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the deposit for a Senate candidate in Guinea?
Each candidate must pay 30 million Guinean francs, about US$3,400. The money goes into treasury accounts at the Central Bank of Guinea.
What is the campaign spending limit?
Campaign spending is capped at 300 million Guinean francs per candidacy, about US$34,000. Breaking the cap is a breach of the electoral code.
When is the Guinea Senate election?
The Senate election is set for Sunday, 20 December 2026. Regional elections come first, on 29 November.
When must candidates pay the deposit?
The deposit is due at least 50 days before the vote, which is 31 October 2026. Candidate filing is reported to run from 20 to 29 October.
Who set the rules?
The Direction générale des élections issued the decision on 18 October 2026, signed by deputy director general Georges Abraham Sorry. A financial commission led by ONASUR prepared the proposals.