Parties and candidates to sign electoral code of conduct

POLITICAL parties and independent candidates contesting the 2016 local government elections in KwaZulu-Natal will be signing the electoral code of conduct at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre on Thursday, 9 June.

By signing this code of conduct, political parties and independent candidates will be committing themselves and their supporters to a peaceful environment and the promotion of political tolerance ahead during and after the 2016 local government elections to be held on Wednesday, 3 August.

Thabani Ngwira, head of outreach and communication for the IEC KZN, said, “The signing of this code of conduct is very important, especially in KwaZulu-Natal where we have a history of political intolerance and, noting the events experienced recently, of incidents of intolerance between political parties, threats to the electoral process and acts of intimidation to political party lists of candidates for the upcoming local government elections.”

Ngwira said the concern to the commission is that the prevailing climate of incidents of intimidation, disruption and political intolerance must be managed by all political parties to ensure an environment conducive to a free and fair election.

The code of conduct is legally binding as it forms part of the electoral laws, and therefore its breach is prosecutable.

The signing of the code will be overseen by church and faith leaders, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, provincial government and the SAPS Provincial Commissioner.

The signing of the electoral code of conduct will be held on 9 June at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. The programme is scheduled to commence at 9.30am and will conclude by 1pm.