Funding political parties promotes democracy

In Africa, where political parties exist in hard economic hardships, financing of all political parties is critical factors for the success of multiparty democracy.

Analysts argue that where African nations are attempting democratisation, political party funding is important for two reasons, namely:

“The widespread perception in some societies that the ruling party uses State funds to support its activities, to the disadvantage of opposition parties which do not have access to such resources; and

“The reality that many African societies lack a strong private economy, meaning that opposition political parties cannot rely on contributions from wealthy supporters to make up for any resource advantage which the ruling party may have.”

That will result in the opposition parties enjoying state support if they are to compete on a relatively equal footing with the ruling party or other parties with considerable private funding.
Political parties may raise funds from private sources, such as membership fees, subscriptions and contributions, donations by individuals or corporations, economic activities (such as establishing party newspaper/s or forming profit making companies), and loans. In some cases foreign funding makes political parties survive. Since the introduction of the Political Parties (Finance) Act [Chapter 2:11] in 2001 is illegal in Zimbabwe to receive foreign funding.

It is not clear if there are parties still receiving foreign funding.
Given that foreign funding is not allowed, public funding becomes one of the ways a political party can remain afloat.

In a paper called “The Regulation of Political Parties in Zimbabwe: Registration, Finance and Other Support”, ZESN suggests that the relative absence of public funding in respect of emerging multiparty democracies in Africa is a reflection of the extent to which the transition programmes towards multiparty democracy are directed and dominated by ‘incumbent authoritarian rulers’ who have no shortage of financial resources. As far as such rulers and their ruling parties are concerned, public funding of political parties, which also benefits the opposition parties, would amount to propping up the opposition while eroding the advantages that incumbency confers.

Zimbabwe political parties get public funding if they receive at least 5 per cent of votes cast in a general election meaning that since 2008 only Zanu PF and MDC formations benefit.

In SADC, political parties in parliament in Angola, Namibia and South Africa get public funds.

While in Malawi political parties benefit from public funding if they receive more than 10 percent of the vote in an election.

Lesotho government funds political parties to cover campaign expenses, while in Mozambique, one-third of the public funding is allocated to presidential candidates, one-third to parties in Parliament in proportion to their seats, and one-third to parties fielding candidates for Parliament in proportion the number of candidates fielded. Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mauritius and Zambia do not fund political parties. In Tanzania, public funding of political parties was abolished in 2000.

Is the current situation in Zimbabwe good in the advancement of multi-party democracy?