ELECTION campaigning is peaking the last days before voting begins.
While those casting their ballots overseas using a postal vote will be voting on Freedom Day, April 27, the rest of the country will cast their votes between 6 and 8 May at voting stations all over the country.
The rules of the electoral process are determined by The Electoral Act which contains an Electoral Code of Conduct aimed at promoting “conditions that are conducive to free and fair elections” and that creates a climate of tolerance, free political campaigning, and open public debate.” (Source: IEC Website: https://www.elections.org.za/content/Parties/The-Electoral-Code-of-Conduct/)
According to the electoral timetable, political parties, their agents and candidates are all obliged to follow the rules outlined in the Electoral Code of Conduct until after the announcement of the official results.
“Failure to do so creates the risk of a party’s candidates or independent candidates being disqualified,” said the IEC, although there is yet to be a precedent set for this happening.
The code lists the responsibilities of all those involved in the election process as well as listing things that are not allowed.
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The prohibitions include the use of language which provokes violence, the intimidation of candidates or voters, publishing false information about candidates or parties, using party’s symbols, names or acronyms without permission (plagiarism), offering inducements to reward people if they vote for a party, carrying weapons at political meetings, marches or rallies, bribing voters to vote or fail to vote, as well as any behaviour which might be seen as a general abuse of a position of power, privilege or influence in order to affect the outcome of the elections.
The rules also prohibit the destruction, removal or defacing of election posters belonging to political parties.
Anyone can report any incidents, behaviour or actions they feel might be in violation of the code of conduct to Electoral Court.
The Secretary of the Court can be contacted on 051 412 7400.
“In terms of section 78 of the Municipal Electoral Act, the Electoral Court has jurisdiction in respect of all electoral disputes and complaints about infringements of the code, subject to section 20(4) of the Electoral Commission Act.”
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