Election: half of the parties a no-show
With the Local Government Election five weeks away, half of the province's registered political parties failed to show up for the signing of the Independent Electoral Commission's Code of Conduct in Polokwane on Monday.
POLOKWANE – The signing occurred at the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex, which is also the IEC’s provincial centre.
The Code of Conduct is signed after the declaration of the election date and aims to promote a climate of tolerance, free political campaigning, and open public debate for free and fair elections. Political parties, their agents and candidates commit to adhering to the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct until the election results are officially announced. Failure to do so creates the risk of a party’s candidates or independent candidates being disqualified.
Even though Limpopo has the second highest number of political parties registered to contest the elections, 27 of the 56 registered parties contesting the 1 376 seats, did not turn up to sign.
The signing also had its share of challenges as some parties refused to sign the Code of Conduct.
One of these, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) said an incorrect logo was printed on the document, which was their reason for not signing.
“We have never signed this logo with the IEC and therefore I’m not sure whether I need to sign,” a candidate, Phala Wa Phalakatshela, questioned stating the party has never signed with that specific logo.
Communications Minister Faith Muthambi signed on behalf of the ANC and was quoted as saying: “We will be a responsible government and we will become pillars to support democracy”.
Jacques Smalle, the DA’s Provincial Leader, confirmed that Désirée van Der Walt (DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Basic Education) signed on behalf of the DA.
According to Smalle, what matters most is that the major political parties were present to sign.
“Some of the parties that weren’t present were unknown or independent,” he said.
The EFF’s Deputy Secretary, George Raphela, signed on behalf of the party, confirmed Provincial Secretary, Jossey Buthane.
He said the Code of Conduct is a very important part of elections as it states how all parties should behave and the fact that half of the parties weren’t present makes the EFF question their intentions.
“If you cannot commit to signing, then what are your intentions?” he asked.
Cope Provincial Secretary, Erik Mohlapamaswi, signed on behalf of the party and said the no-show by some parties was disappointing.
The IEC’s Provincial Electoral Officer, Mkaro Mateta, told Review most parties whose representatives weren’t present were new parties and didn’t have the means to get to the event.
They remain bound to the regulations of the Code of Conduct, she reiterated.
She also commented on parties campaigning in neighbourhoods.
“If political parties come campaigning door to door asking for your ID number, address and contact details without mentioning that they are recruiting for the party, it is not allowed by the IEC. If they tell you they are recruiting and you want to join, you may sign but it is your constitutional right to decline to do so,” she said.
Mateta added that the IEC provides political parties with the voters roll so there is no need for residents to declare their details.
