MBOMBELA – With only a few weeks left before the elections, opposition parties are concerned about their freedom and right to campaign.
During the signing of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)’s code of conduct to abide by the rules and laws come election day, the disgruntled parties stated they were highly perturbed about the ruling party’s tendency to interrupt their campaigns in communities.
“It is our right to freely engage with voters and pursue them to vote for a party that will change the country’s situation,” said the Economic Freedom Fighters’ representative, Mr Collen Sedibe.
He added that if the ruling party was confident of winning this year’s elections as it said it was, it should not feel threatened but allow other parties to campaign freely.
Confirming the IEC’s readiness for this year’s elections, the commission’s chairperson, Ms Pansy Tlakula, told political parties in attendance that the act of voting was more that a mere tick on paper, but a right enshrined by the constitution, which should be respected.
“As you publicly sign this pledge, you are showing commitment to tolerate and respect each other, including voters, during the election period,” said Tlakula.
She also commended the province for conducting free and fair elections since the birth of democracy in 1994 saying it had a record she believed would be maintained even in years to come.
Urging the parties to participate in the elections in a way that will enhance the country’s hard-earned democracy, she said, “The destruction of other parties posters will not be tolerated as everyone should exercise their democratic right.”
The chairperson also confirmed that everything was set for disabled and elderly persons to participate in a convenient manner.
To view pictures click here: https://www.citizen.co.za/mpumalanga-news/48583/political-parties-sign-pledges/
