STUDY 1: Public Perceptions and Knowledge of the Political Party Funding Act (PPFA)
Abstract
The Commission will be able to undertake its responsibilities more effectively if there is a broader awareness and understanding of the PPFA, including South Africa???s duties in terms of its international law commitments and to strengthen the country???s multiparty constitutional democracy. There is a need to assess the level of public understanding of the PPFA as new legislation that has potentially profound implications for the country???s democracy and the electoral process. This understanding includes the objectives of the PPFA, the rights and responsibilities of the public as citizens and voters, the rights and responsibilities of donors and political parties, as well as the mechanisms established by the PPFA to promote constitutional democracy, and constitutional values such as dignity, equality, responsiveness, openness, and accountability.
The Commission accepts that it has a responsibility to inform stakeholders about their rights and responsibilities, and to assist them to comply with their responsibilities. The Commission has already begun the task of providing support to political parties concerning their reporting responsibilities in terms of the PPFA.
The results of the proposed study will enable the Commission to better understand stakeholders??? awareness and attitudes regarding the new legislation governing political party funding in South Africa. Furthermore, this may allow the Commission to design, plan and implement its engagement strategies to underpin its ability to more effectively undertake its many responsibilities to implement the PPFA more effectively.
In addition, the Commission needs to plan for the envisaged adoption of amendments to the Electoral Act 73 of 1998 currently before Parliament. The Electoral Amendment Bill arises from the decision by the Constitutional Court in New Nation Movement NPC and Others v President of the Republic of South Africa and Others [2020] ZACC 11 (11 June 2020) that mandated independent candidates for election to the national and provincial legislatures. Among other things, the Electoral Amendment Act will require consequential amendments to the PPFA, which currently makes no provision for the regulation of funding for independent candidates.
