The DHA received a total allocation of R6.56 billion in 2013/14. This was a 22.7% increase in nominal terms from its 2012/13 budget. When the nominal increase for 2013/14 was considered against the 5.6% projected inflation for the year, the real increase to the budget of DHA was 16% (R866 million). This increase was primarily due to the 72% growth in real allocation to the Electoral Commission amounting to R624.2 million (R707 million in nominal terms). This increase was to allow for the preparations for the 2014 Provincial and National elections. If the increase to the Electoral Commission is omitted, the increase to the overall budget of the DHA is 5.4% in real terms. In contrast, the overall government expenditure for 2013/14 was projected to grow by 8.9%.