Political Party Funding Must Support Transparency, Accountability and the Strengthening of Our Democracy
23 July 2017
The African National Congress has, in line with the invitation of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties, made a submission to Parliament on matters relating to the review and strengthening of political party funding. In our submission and in accordance with the ANC's 52nd and 53rd National Conference resolutions, the ANC calls for the regulation of private financing of political parties, financial transparency of political parties and enhanced public funding for activities that promote and support democracy.
The current over-reliance by political parties on private donations as well as the secrecy that clouds political party financing has, in recent times, fueled perceptions that anonymous donations from masked sources subvert democratic processes, lead to a manipulation of public policy positions in favor of those private interests and dilute the voice of citizens. Transparency therefore is necessary to increase public confidence in the democratic system and to allow parties to remain financially sustainable in an ethical, lawful and predictable manner. Party finances must be open to public scrutiny and discussions engaged on the desirability of donations from, amongst other categories, foreign interests or from companies that conduct substantial business with the state.
The African National Congress appreciates the current fiscal constraints and thus the need to revise current allocations to political party funding without sacrificing other important public priorities. The ANC therefore calls on the Ad Hoc Committee to consider these proposed reforms to strengthen democracy, combat corruption and build transparency and accountability in the funding of political parties in line with our stated commitments to prudent financial management.
The full submission of the ANC to the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties is available on the ANC website www.anc.org.za
Issued by
Zweli Mkhize
Treasurer General
African National Congress
Enquiries
Zizi Kodwa 082 330 4910
National Spokesperson
Khusela Sangoni 072 854 5707
National Communications Manager
The African National Congress has, in line with the invitation of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties, made a submission to Parliament on matters relating to the review and strengthening of political party funding. In our submission and in accordance with the ANC's 52nd and 53rd National Conference resolutions, the ANC calls for the regulation of private financing of political parties, financial transparency of political parties and enhanced public funding for activities that promote and support democracy.
The current over-reliance by political parties on private donations as well as the secrecy that clouds political party financing has, in recent times, fueled perceptions that anonymous donations from masked sources subvert democratic processes, lead to a manipulation of public policy positions in favor of those private interests and dilute the voice of citizens. Transparency therefore is necessary to increase public confidence in the democratic system and to allow parties to remain financially sustainable in an ethical, lawful and predictable manner. Party finances must be open to public scrutiny and discussions engaged on the desirability of donations from, amongst other categories, foreign interests or from companies that conduct substantial business with the state.
The African National Congress appreciates the current fiscal constraints and thus the need to revise current allocations to political party funding without sacrificing other important public priorities. The ANC therefore calls on the Ad Hoc Committee to consider these proposed reforms to strengthen democracy, combat corruption and build transparency and accountability in the funding of political parties in line with our stated commitments to prudent financial management.
The full submission of the ANC to the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on the Funding of Political Parties is available on the ANC website www.anc.org.za
Issued by
Zweli Mkhize
Treasurer General
African National Congress
Enquiries
Zizi Kodwa 082 330 4910
National Spokesperson
Khusela Sangoni 072 854 5707
National Communications Manager
No comments:
Post a Comment