ELECTION NEWS - The IEC’s mandate of ensuring free and fair elections was endorsed this week when Western Cape contestants in the National and Provincial Elections signed the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Held at the historically significantly named Dulcie September Hall in Athlone, the purpose of the Code is to promote conditions conducive to free and fair elections, including tolerance of democratic activity, free campaigning and open public debate.
Said Provincial Electoral Officer, Michael Hendrickse: “This pledge signifies to the public and in particular the voters, that parties and independents are willing to be held accountable to have a fair contest.”
Keynote speaker, retired Constitutional Court Judge Albie Sachs, told the poignant story of how he received a ballot paper through the bars of his jail cell where he was incarcerated without trial in the 1960s – long before the democratic vote was available to all South Africans.
“I was told Advocate Sachs it’s Election Day today in South Africa and you have the right to vote. (The policeman) shows me the ballot slip and he pushes it through the bars. Today we have a Constitution, today everybody can vote,” said Sachs.
Over 30 parties and the single independent candidate put their signatures to the Pledge. Parties who were not present to sign, are still bound to the Code by virtue of their participation in elections as parties and candidates.
On the three ballot papers in the Western Cape, there are:
- 29 parties contesting the Provincial legislature;
- 34 parties and one independent contesting the Regional ballot; and
- 52 parties contesting the National PR compensatory ballot for a seat in Parliament.
24 parties are contesting on all three ballots.
The event was attended by Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, who opened with prayer, and he also reminded contestants of their responsibly to the community to uphold the Electoral Code of Conduct. Commissioners of the IEC and provincial representatives of the National Prosecuting Authority and SAPS were in attendance, as well as academics and representatives of civic organisations and faith-based institutions.
“The Electoral Code of Conduct is more than the legal text. It says more about who we are and how we want to engage in this contest in order to serve the community,” said Hendrickse.
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