The warning was issued during a code of conduct pledge ceremony in North West last week, where political parties and candidates signed a commitment to uphold the rules governing their conduct during the elections. IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said violations could result in fines against political parties, imprisonment or deregistration, potentially preventing a party from contesting future elections.

“It is serious and we are calling on all leaders, all supporters of parties and candidates to observe and adhere to that code. Every one of them participating in the elections has signed a code, and they are bound by that code.”

The code of conduct requires political parties and candidates to speak out against political violence and threats directed at rival parties, the IEC, members of the public and the media.

They are also required to notify the relevant authorities about planned marches and rallies, recognise the authority of the IEC, cooperate with its structures and allow officials to perform their duties. The code further requires political parties and candidates to accept election results or challenge them through the courts.

Moepya said credible elections required the participation and cooperation of society as a whole. “We are calling on all South Africans to work with us. Elections take the whole of society to deliver, and more credible elections take every one of us in this country and further afield to work at. But from where we are, we want to assure you that we have taken every step to ensure, step by step, the integrity of these elections.”

The IEC is also recruiting election personnel, with presiding officers’ credentials to be presented to local political liaison committees. Moepya said their CVs would be made available to allow people who know the prospective officials to raise objections if they believe candidates are not non-partisan.

North West premier Lazarus Mokgosi said the signed code of conduct was more than just a document, describing it as a binding commitment to responsible political participation. He said political parties, candidates and their supporters were expected to conduct themselves with discipline, respect and accountability throughout the electoral process.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dgdg

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