Release of Political Parties Fund by Registrar of Political Parties

Motion text

THAT, aware that Article 92 (f) of the Constitution mandates Parliament to enact legislation to provide for the establishment and management of a political parties fund; acknowledging that this requirement has been met through the enactment of the Political Parties Act, 2011; noting that section 23 of the Act establishes the Political Parties Fund to be administered by the Registrar of political parties; noting further that Section 24 of the same Act states the sources of the Fund as not being less than zero point three percent of the revenue collected by the national government, as may be provided by Parliament as well as contributions and donations to the Fund from any other lawful source; cognizant of the fact that Section 25 of the Act requires the Registrar to distribute the fund on a percentage basis, 95 per cent of which is to be distributed proportionately by reference to the total number of votes secured by each political party in the preceding general election; the Senate calls upon the Registrar of Political Parties to immediately release funds to political parties in accordance with the Constitution and the law.