25 January 2006
Political parties contesting the 2006 Municipal Elections signed the
Electoral Code of Conduct today at a ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria
in preparation for the coming elections.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (IEC), Ms Thoko
Mpumlwana, said it was encouraging that so many of the parties were present at
the signing.
All parties represented on the Party National Liaison Committee were invited
to participate in this significant event. While four parties could not attend
the ceremony, the Code of Conduct is also applicable to them. Parties and
candidates undertake to abide by the Code of Conduct when they submit their
party lists and nominations and by signing the Code of Conduct they publicly
commit themselves to uphold it.
In conclusion, Ms Mpumlwana said the IEC was ready to deliver professionally
run, impartial, free and fair elections. IEC staff and systems are ready for
the 2006 Municipal Elections.
Please find below, copies of the Pledge signed today as well as an abridge
version of the Electoral Code of Conduct (Schedule 1 of the Municipal Electoral
Act, No 27 of 2000).
Pledge
Preamble
Whereas the Constitution of South Africa recognises that universal adult
suffrage, a national common voters roll, regular elections and a multi-party
system of democratic government are founding values and the Bill of Rights is
the cornerstone of democracy and affirms the democratic values of human
dignity, equality and freedom;
Whereas participation in the political process must be based on mutual
respect, tolerance and the recognition of the rights of participating political
parties;
Accepting that South African citizens must be able to cast their ballots in
a peaceful environment;
Acknowledging that the Local Government Elections in 2006 are part of the
celebration of 10 years of constitutional democracy;
Acknowledging that the Electoral Commission is mandated to ensure free and
fair elections of legislative bodies in South Africa; and
Acknowledging that political parties and candidates participating in the
Local Government Elections in 2006 are obliged to subscribe to the Electoral
Code of Conduct which is binding on those participating parties, their
candidates, members and supporters.
Restatement of Commitment
The political parties participating in the Local Government Elections on 1
March 2006 gathered here in Pretoria on this day under the auspices of the
Electoral Commission commit themselves to uphold the underlying values and
conduct required by the Electoral Code of Conduct and to which they hereby
publicly pledge to adhere.
Further Pledge
To underscore this commitment, the undersigned parties further pledge:
(1) To conduct themselves in a manner that will reinforce a culture of
tolerance towards all other parties contesting the elections in South
Africa.
(2) To effectively counsel and advise all candidates on their party lists so
that each candidate will, in their turn, propagate a message of maximum
tolerance. This will ensure that a culture of tolerance permeates throughout
the structures of parties and is passed on to supporters and to the general
public.
(3) To publicly promote the eradication of no-go areas to allow for free
political activity by contesting parties.
(4) To desist from using speech or from participating in actions which will
have the effect of provoking either their partyâs supporters or members of the
general public to commit acts of violence or intolerant behaviour.
Thus signed in Pretoria on 25 January 2006.
Electoral Code of Conduct
The Electoral Code of Conduct promotes conditions that are conducive to free
and fair elections, including tolerance of democratic political activity, free
political campaigning and open public debate.
Every registered party, all its candidates, persons who hold political
office in this party, its representative, members and its supporters are to
comply with the Electoral Code of Conduct and any applicable electoral
laws.
Every registered political party and its candidates must publicly state that
everyone has the full right to:
* freely express their political beliefs and opinions
* challenge and debate the political beliefs and opinions of others
* publish and distribute election and campaign materials including notices and
advertisements
* lawfully erect banners, billboards, placards and posters
* canvass support for a party or candidate
* recruit members for a party
* hold public meetings
* travel and attend public meetings
Every registered political party must:
* publicly condemn any action that may undermine the free and fair conduct of
elections
* must accept the result of an election or challenge the result in a
court
* take all reasonable steps to ensure that women are free to engage in any
political activities
* recognise the authority of the commission in the conduct of an election
* assure voters of the commissionâs impartiality
* take all reasonable steps to ensure that journalists are not subjected to
harassment, intimidation, hazard, threats or physical assault by any of their
representatives or supporters
Prohibited conduct:
* no registered party or candidate may -
- prevent access by members of the media to public political meetings, marches,
demonstrations and rallies
- use language or act in a way that may provoke intimidation of candidates,
members of parties, representatives or supporters of parties or candidates or
voters
- publish false or defamatory allegations in connection with an election in
respect of a party, its candidates, representatives, members or that candidateâ
s representatives
* no person may induce or reward any person -
- to join or not join a party
- to attend or not to attend a public meeting, march, demonstration, rally or
other public political events
- to vote or not to vote in any particular way, or to refuse a nomination as a
candidate or to withdraw as a candidate
* carry or display arms or weapons at a political meeting or in any march,
demonstration, rally or any other public political event
* unreasonably prevent any other person access to voters for the purpose of
voter education, collecting signatures, recruiting members, raising funds or
canvassing support for a party or candidate deface or unlawfully remove or
destroy the billboards, placards, posters or any other election materials of a
party.
Enquiries:
Lydia Young
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 650 8652
Issued By: Electoral Commission
25 January 2006
