The parties and candidates must:
* speak out against political violence and threats against other parties, the IEC, members of the public and the media;
* let the authorities know about planned marches or rallies;
* communicate with other political parties about planned political events;
* recognise the authority of the IEC;
* work with the IEC structures and allow them to perform their duties;
* work with the police in their investigation of election crime and violence; and
* accept the results of the election or challenge the result in court.
How does the Code of Conduct work?
The Electoral Code of Conduct must be agreed to by:
* every registered party before the party takes part in an election; and
* every candidate before he/she is placed on the list of candidates.
Parties and candidates must stick to the code and must:
* let the public know about the Code;
* promote the purpose of the Code; and
* support efforts to educate voters.
Parties and candidates must also inform the public that all people (including women, persons with disabilities, and different language and cultural groups) have the right:
* to be free to express their political beliefs and to be part of any political party; and
* to join in any political campaigns, marches or public meetings.
What happens when you break the Code of Conduct?
Any person who breaks the Code is guilty of a crime and can be fined or sent to prison for up to 10 years.
Political parties that break the Code can:
* be fined;
* be stopped from working in an area; or
* have their votes in an area cancelled.
Information taken from the IEC website at www.elections.org.za
