31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?

Section 71 of the Act states that funds received from the Consolidated Fund for contesting elections (a) may be used only to defray expences incurred in contesting elections, including the propagation of the political parties or candidate´s views and elector education, and (b) may not be used to (i) defray personal expenditure not related to contesting elections, (ii) pay a fee, reward, benefit or remuneration to any candidate or officer of a political party, (iii) reward any elector in order to vote or to vote in a certain manner, and (iv) directly or indirectly invest in any business or property. Section 72(4) of the Act further defines that any funds received by a political party registered with the Commission in terms of Section 71 shall only be used for politically related activities.