AU observers call for funding of political parties

Addressing the press yesterday, the head of the mission, Dr Brigalia Bam, who is also chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa, said that the funding should be done "based on fair and equitable formula that aim to strengthen the participation of political parties in the democratisation process of the country". Some African states that fund political parties are Uganda, Burundi, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Malawi.

The AU mission recommended that, consideration should be made for appropriate legislation, regulation or code of conduct that would ensure equal and equitable media coverage of all political parties, particularly during the electioneering period. The mission called for the counting of votes to be done at the polling stations and not at designated centres. It recommended the use of indelible ink in line with international practice to enhance transparency and avoid cheating. It said results should be displayed at each and every polling station for easy access to the public.