The Justice Ministry in Zimbabwe has urged the Treasury to boost funding allocated to political parties as the country goes to the polls next year under the Political Parties (Finance) Act.

Reports indicate that the Justice Ministry, which controls political party funding, had initially requested $5 billion but was, in fact, allocated $2.5 billion.

During a post-budget consultative meeting held last week, the chief director of the ministry, Tapiwa Godzi, told lawmakers that the funding allocation for political parties was insufficient as elections are looming.

“The ministry was allocated $2.5 billion out of a bid of $5 billion. Our country is going to hold elections in 2023. Eligible parties need to be allocated significant amounts to cater for their expenses,” the chief director commented.

According to a Bulawayo 24 report, the funding allocation will be divided amongst the Zanu-PF, MDC-Alliance and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) parties.

Earlier this year, $350 million was allocated to Zanu-PF, whilst the MDC Alliance – headed up by Douglas Mwonzora – was granted close to $150 million.

In addition, in December 2021, the so-called Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) pressed for the Political Parties (Finance) Act to be repealed. It urged Parliament to implement a new financing model to allow smaller parties to benefit from state-allocated funding.

In fact, the Political Actors Dialogue called for the Political Parties (Finance) Act to be revoked in its entirety.

 As it stands, under the current Act, any political party that received a minimum of 5% of the total votes cast is eligible for Treasury funding. However, Polad said this number should be reduced to a 1% threshold.