Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has called for an amendment to the Political Parties Act to prevent the contribution of funds to parties through unknown or unverified sources. ACC made the call in a report prepared on strengthening the integrity of the financial system of political parties.
In the report, ACC noted the current Political Parties Act does not state the amount or type of financial assistance that can be provided to parties. The commission said the lack of such a clause has opened the doors for bribery and corruption within parties.
ACC further stated although the Electoral Act limits the expenditure of candidates contesting in elections, it allows additional expenditure to be sourced through their political parties. ACC highlighted the importance of passing a legislation that restricts the flow of unknown and unverified funds to political parties. As such, the commission said a limit must be set on the contribution of funds to parties, and the exact source of the funds must be stated clearly. The commission added sourcing funds through state-owned enterprises, foreign companies or individuals and unverified sources must be prohibited.
In the report, ACC called to revise the current laws and regulations in place in order to eliminate corruption within political parties.