Political parties and independent candidates contesting the 2024 National and Provincial Elections have signed the Electoral Commission’s Code of Conduct, committing to abide by the set of rules that are meant to ensure free and fair elections.
The General Elections will be held on 29 May to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each of South Africa’s nine provinces.
This will be the seventh general election held in the country’s democratic dispensation since the end of apartheid in 1994.
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In total, 325 political parties will be taking part in this year’s elections.
In his keynote address at the signing ceremony held in Midrand on Thursday, Electoral Commission (IEC) chairperson Mosotho Moepya cautioned that violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct can cast doubt on the legitimacy of election results, and lead to disputes and legal challenges.
“By complying with the code, political parties help to ensure that election outcomes are accepted as legitimate by all stakeholders, thereby contributing to political stability and social cohesion,” Moepya said.
He added that beyond adherence to the code, political parties, independent candidates and citizens alike must actively promote awareness of the code’s purpose and support efforts to educate voters.
Moepya said certain behaviours, such as inciting violence, intimidation, spreading false information or abusing positions of power, are strictly prohibited and must be met with swift accountability measures.
