B Bam: Signing of Code of Conduct by political parties

15 January 2006

Honourable members of the clergy,
Representatives of political parties,
Provincial and municipal electoral officers,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me begin by extending my heartfelt congratulations to representatives of
political parties who have gathered here to sign the Electoral Code of
Conduct.

Code of Conduct

This signing, ladies and gentlemen, is not only symbolic but an invaluable
step in creating tolerance of democratic political activity, free political
campaigning and open public debate.

The signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct by political party
representatives is a demonstration of their commitment that everyone has the
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;
* To recruit members of a party;
* To hold public meetings and
* To travel to and attend public meetings.

The emphasis here is on the responsibility of the political parties not to
violate, instigate hate speech or make threats to each other in the run up to
the elections and beyond.

The Electoral Code of Conduct further emphasises that women must be
respected and allowed to participate in political activities. Every party and
candidate must take reasonable steps to ensure that women are free to engage in
any political activity.

Ladies and gentlemen, political parties in South Africa have a good
reputation for having observed the Code of Conduct since the advent of
democracy in 1994. This is why South Africa has such a good image globally. We
are a country that has parties that do not only observe the Code of Conduct but
also accept election results.

Khutsong community

In Khutsong, we have a special challenge, a challenge to win the confidence
and trust of potential voters, to allay their present fears and relieve
tensions within the community. A challenge to calm the anger of the people.

It is therefore, incumbent upon leaders and representatives present here to
exercise their leadership and to inculcate the necessary values needed for a
peaceful campaigning. Khutsong people must therefore, take part in the
elections. Political parties have a critical role to play in rebuilding peace
and reconciliation in this community even after the elections. Parties should
encourage a dialogue between the newly appointed councillors and the Khutsong
community as this will serve to enhance the functioning of democratic processes
in this area.

We are now left with only 13 days to the 1 March elections and we thus have
a responsibility to create a climate conducive to a free and fair election. We,
therefore, all have a responsibility to remobilise and re-energise the people
of Khutsong.

We have demonstrated to the country and the world our capabilities to weave
our way through difficult circumstances and that has been possible through
leadership.

Our past

Ladies and gentlemen, we have come from a past that has not always been
rosy. We survived because we had good leadership. This is time for that kind of
leadership to stand up and lead this community.

We have come from a past in which violence orchestrated by the apartheid
state has seen our people being casualties of political intolerance, both
inside and outside the borders of South Africa.

Many of the victims were very young and their families and relatives also
suffered varying degrees of harassment and direct physical harm. We must at all
cost avoid situations that are physically confrontational. It is only through
dialogue that we must solve our problems

As we grapple with many challenges at this juncture, I wish to remind the
people of Khutsong of the words of our greatest statesmen, Nelson Rolihlahla
Mandela. I quote: “Our march to freedom is irreversible. We must not allow fear
to stand in our way. Universal suffrage on a common voter’s role in a united
democratic and non-racial South Africa is the only way to peace and racial
harmony. “

Ladies and gentlemen, we have over the years reaped the fruits of democracy.
We should remember that it is a hard earned democracy that we should preserve.
It is also a democracy that continues to mature. Bearing testimony to this is
the growing number of political parties contesting in the polls and the level
of voter registration in the elections. Democracy is an ongoing process and
people are starting to internalise multi-partyism.

Since the first democratic elections in 1994, we have seen a significant
growth in the number of political parties in South Africa.  

For instance, a total of 97 parties are participating in the 2006 elections
compared to 79 in the 2000 municipal elections, showing a 19% growth. This is a
measure of the healthy state of multipartyism and maturing multi-party
democracy. We have also seen an increase in the number of voting stations in
these elections.

While we had 17 000 voting stations in the 2004 general elections, we now
have 19 000 stations in place for the coming elections. This means the more the
voting stations we have, the less time spent on queues and more accessibility,
particularly in rural areas. By adding more stations, the IEC paid particular
attention to improving the smooth running of elections. 

I am happy to inform you that over 21 million have now registered to vote in
the coming local government elections. This is indeed encouraging, taking into
account that democracy is a new concept in South Africa.

In these municipal elections alone, 45 189 candidates countrywide will
contest the elections.

This represents 50% increase in candidates participating compared to year
2000 elections. We have a total of 283 municipalities countrywide, with 15 of
these in the Gauteng province. Similarly, we have 3895 wards nationally, with
449 in Gauteng. In the Merafong City Municipality, we have 26 wards and 57
voting districts.

Lastly, the IEC has recruited 169 661 staff for the coming elections. In
line with our emphasis on gender equity, a majority of this staff are women. In
Gauteng alone 24 281 electoral staff will be deployed in all the voting
stations in this province.

People are going to the polls to decide their future. For, it is only
through your vote that you can have a meaningful say in the running of your
wards, municipalities and districts. It is only though your vote that you can
hold your leaders accountable. Let us all go and vote on 1 March.

In conclusion, I once wish to leave you with more thoughts from Madiba: I
quote: “Great anger and violence can never build a nation.”

I thank you.

Issued by: Electoral Commission (IEC)
15 January 2006