POLOKWANE – The 37 parties contesting various positions in the city are among candidates across Limpopo who have publicly committed to contesting the upcoming local government election peacefully and honestly under the oversight of the IEC.

The provincial electoral code of conduct signing ceremony was held at The Ranch Resort on Tuesday, with political contestants from all five districts gathering to sign the code and commit to the standards governing their conduct ahead of the November polls.

37 political formations and independents

The IEC has released a list of approved candidates for mayoral, ward councillor and proportional representation (PR) councillor positions from 37 political formations, as well as independent candidates.

The ceremony saw leaders from the Polokwane contestants join other Limpopo candidates in signing both the electoral code of conduct and the code on countering disinformation.

What the code sets out

The code sets the ground rules from the proclamation of the election until the results are announced.

Contestants pledged to:

• Campaign with honesty, integrity and respect for the truth
• Reject disinformation and deceptive practices
• Use technology and public platforms responsibly
• Promote tolerance among contestants and supporters
• Discourage inflammatory speech
• Prevent intimidation and violence
• Ensure that no area becomes a no-go zone for campaigning in Polokwane or elsewhere in the province
• Publicly condemn conduct that undermines free and fair elections
• Accept the outcome, or challenge it only through legal processes, with the Electoral Court retaining jurisdiction

Disinformation a growing threat

IEC Limpopo spokesperson Simon Thobakgale said disinformation, increasingly amplified by artificial intelligence, threatens to mislead voters and erode public trust.

Parties contesting in Polokwane

• Able Leadership
• ActionSA
• ACDP
• ANC
• African Solution
• Afrika Mayibuye Movement
• Al Jama-ah
• All Citizens Party
• Azanian People’s Organisation
• Bathobohle Political Party
• Believers Voice Party
• Bolsheviks Party of South Africa
• Born To Win
• Build One South Africa
• Cope
• DA
• EFF
• African Transformation Movement
• Kingdom Covenant Democratic Party
• Magaeng
• Magoshi Swaranang Movement
• Molemole Independent Voice
• Moshabi Party
• Movement for Total Liberation
• National Restoration Party
• Organic Humanity Movement
• Patriotic Alliance
• Rise Mzansi
• Rise Up Africa / Tsoga Africa
• Sebotha Community Party
• SACP
• Umkhonto Wesizwe Party
• United Africans Transformation
• United Progressive People Alliance
• Freedom Front Plus

They will be joined by independent candidates Eliphas Nakedi Mamabolo and Lesibe Phillip Malahlela in Ward 30; Masilo Joseph Nyalungu in Ward 31; Madimpe Piet Mampa and Stephen Ramohlola in Ward 34; and Malesele Augustin Ledwaba in Ward 40.