The Electoral
Commission in partnership with the Electoral Institute for Sustainable
Democracy in Africa (EISA) have launched the inaugural Special Issue of the Journal
of African Elections on Political Funding, a continuation of the national
dialogue on political funding framework.
Launched in
Johannesburg on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, the publication tackles key challenges
in political finance, including tensions between public and private funding,
risks of undue influence, and regulatory gaps. It also underscores the need for
stronger institutional capacity and sustained political will.
This special
edition brings together nine double blind peer-reviewed academic articles, each
contributing to a richer and more nuanced understanding of political funding in
South Africa. Collectively, they are organised around four interrelated themes:
- The first
theme explores the theoretical foundations of political financing, engaging
with key conceptual questions.
- The second
theme focuses on public funding of political parties.
- The third
theme examines private financing an influential yet often less transparent
area.
- The fourth
theme provides a comparative analysis of political funding approaches.
Speaking at the launch, the
Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mosotho Moepya, said: “Democracy is
expensive. But the cost of authoritarianism is higher and comes at the cost of
personal freedoms and in economic stagnation resulting in harsh living
standards for the majority in society.”
One of the co-editors of the special
edition, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sy Mamabolo, said the publication is
intended to serve as both a scholarly resource and a catalyst for ongoing
debate, policy innovation, and the strengthening of democracy.
“What emerges from this collection is not a single, unified conclusion,
but rather a textured and dynamic conversation. The strength of this special
issue lies in its diversity of perspectives, methodological, theoretical, and normative,”
said the CEO.
The launch coincides with the 30th
anniversary of EISA, marking a moment of reflection on its role in
strengthening electoral integrity, advancing research, and promoting democratic
practice and dialogue across the region.
The print edition Journal of African
Elections Special Issue will made available at institutions of higher
education, libraries, community libraries, community centres and an online
version is available and can be accessed through the Electoral Commission’s
official platforms as well as EISA website.
Members of the public, researchers,
and stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the publication to deepen their understanding
of political funding and its impact on democratic governance.
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elections
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