Cost of the campaign
- The most important source of funding for election expenses is personal finances. Contributions from members/supporters are marginal for legislative elections.
- The choice of candidates to be placed on the candidate list is based to a great extent on the financial capacity of the candidate, who will be asked to finance their campaign on their own.
- A candidate's election expenses are spread over a relatively long period and begin well before the start of the electoral process. Once elected, the MP must also maintain members/supporters.
- The ‘proper’ expenditure headings often reported in campaign accounts are the following: organisation of rallies; staff costs; transport and travel costs; catering costs for campaign activists; accommodation; poster and meeting costs; communication, advertising and publication costs (leaflets, banners, effigies, etc.); costs related to depreciation of fixed assets for the campaign period. ‘Other’ expenses are made when going door-to-door the day before the election.
- During their term of office, elected officials also face enormous burdens: medical, spiritual and educational needs of voters; donations to traditional and religious leaders; support for women and youth according to their social needs; party operations; and construction and infrastructure in their constituencies, etc. These ‘solidarity expenses’ of MPs are very significant. MPs say that they are like 'social workers' for their electorate.