A research report shows that voters, particularly in poor communities, believe that the handing out of food parcels during elections campaigns amounts to vote buying.
 
This month Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found that the distribution of food parcels in 2009 by Julius Malema, then leader of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League, was an abuse of state resources.
 
Commenting on the report by Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA) at the University of Johannesburg, Leila Patel argues that the results of the study show that poor voters can apply their minds when it comes to elections.
 
“Many times they are perceived as vulnerable, but our research shows that they are not that easily persuaded and they have autonomy,” she adds.
 
To read the article titled, “Voters condemn food parcels during election campaigns,” click here.