Upholding democratic ideals and the challenge of regulating political party funding and election campaign finance: case study of southern Africa

This paper is based largely on selected key findings of the Money, Politics and Transparency Project research survey coordinated jointly by Global Integrity, the Sunlight Foundation and the Electoral Integrity Project during 2014. It summarises selected survey results for four African countries, three of which are in Southern Africa. In doing so, it seeks to highlight similarities and differences in law and practice, as well as relevant global and regional standards. It also refers to relevant media reports of parties' and candidates' conduct during recent election campaigns in these countries. It argues that transparency is the essential element of comprehensive anti-corruption regulation.