Political Parties Pledge to Promote Tolerance Ahead of Elections

Political parties gathered at Gallagher estates, Johannesburg, to sign a pledge committing themselves to a peaceful elections campaigning and elections in South Africa. This pledge comes after incidents of violence between opposing political parties, where some political supporters were killed. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) appealed to political parties to be tolerant and respect each other. The pledge was signed at the time when all political parties were hot on the campaign trail and some took the opportunity to campaign and made use of the platform to lash out at their oppositions.

Both the ANC leader, Jacob Zuma and the IFP leader, Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi pledged their commitment to a peaceful campaigning and pleaded with their supporters to adhere to the IEC's code of conduct. The ANC leader said ANC president Jacob Zuma said the upcoming elections would serve to deepen democracy and described it as the "only process to change government peacefully and smoothly". He said he was confident that the upcoming poll would be hassle-free and peaceful.

Inkatha Freedom Party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi slammed what he termed the African National Congress's "abuse of state resources" and intimidation already taking place ahead of the upcoming national general elections on April 22. He called on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to ensure that acts such as these did not go unpunished.
Congress of the People president Mosiuoa Lekota called on political parties and South Africans to ensure a free and fair election.

The UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa warned that it is time we dropped the machine gun and took up the laptop and calculators.

Adressing the conference, Adv Pansy Tlakula warned any political party that breaks the code of conduct will be dealt with.

Below is the pledge signed by political parties:

We the undersigned, leaders of political parties, recognise that South Africa is a democratic and constitutional state premised on the principles of regular elections and multi-partyism.

We accept that the elections require an environment wherein there is free political activity, where all political parties are able to canvass support without fear or hinderance. We recognise that democracy development in our country partly depends on the ability of voters to hear different political opinions as espoused by various parties and thus enable citizens to exercise the franchise on an informed basis.

We note that free and fair elections is the only legitimate basis on which the authority to govern is derived. We acknowledge that the Electoral Commission is mandated to ensure free and fair elections of legislative bodies.

We acknowledge that political parties and candidates participating in the national and provincial elections in 2009 are obliged to observe all provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct, which is binding on those participating parties, their candidates, members and supporters.

Statement of Commitment:

The political parties gathered on this 11th day March in the year 2009 in Midrand commit themselves to uphold the underlying values and conduct required by the Electoral Code of Conduct and to which they hereby pledge to adhere.

Further pledge:

To underscore this commitment, leaders of the undersigned parties pledge:

• To lead their parties in a manner that will reinforce a culture of tolerance towards all other parties contesting elections.
• To effectively counsel and advise all candidates on their party lists so that each candidate will in turn propagate a message of maximum tolerance.
• To publicly promote the eradication of no-go areas for political campaigns by political parties.
• To desist from using speech or from participating in actions which will have the effect of provoking either parties’ supporters or members of the general public to commit acts of intolerance or take other inflammatory actions.
• That participating parties will work together to achieve the objective and goals of the Code of Conduct.