Political Parties Reminded of Election Pledge in Cape Town

SAF 060209-1 February 9, 2006

[SAF - Southern Africa] High levels of tension around the forthcoming local government election have been addressed in meetings between members of the Electoral Code of Conduct Observer Commission (ECCOC) and members of the media and political party leaders.

Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, who chairs ECCOC said that all indications are that the election in the Western Cape will be a particularly intense contest. He said that even though political parties signed the Electoral Code of Conduct in January this year, thereby agreeing to certain standards of behaviour in the run-up to the election, ECCOC is concerned whether parties are adhering to the spirit of the document.

ECCOC is also concerned that the media be particularly careful to report responsibly and not incite and perpetuate tensions.

ECCOC is made up of representatives from the religious, legal, business, media, health and education sectors. Its role is to monitor the political parties’ adherence to the All Party Electoral Code of Conduct as signed by them; to conduct investigations into all transgressions; and to intervene decisively in matters needing arbitration and mediation that are brought to it. It will provide monitoring on election days, particularly in flashpoint areas and will also be available to citizens for any post election problems. It will also engage all political players and the media in dialogue to ensure free and fair elections.

“These meetings today were called in order to remind all role-players to contest the election with dignity and respect, recognising the values enshrined in the South African Constitution,” said the Archbishop.

Parties represented at the meeting of ECCOC and political leaders were: the African Christian Democratic Party, the African National Congress, the Alliance of Free Democrats, the Azanian People’s Organisation, the Democratic Alliance, the First Community Party, the Independent Democrats, the Moderate Independent Party, the United Democratic Movement, the United Independent Front and the Universal Party.

At the meeting some opposition parties, including the DA and UDM, raised concerns about reported ANC partisanship of IEC officials on previous election days in certain areas, including Khayelitsha, which led to, among other problems, spoiled ballots and multiple voting. They appealed to ECCOC to ensure that these irregularities and also IEC officials were monitored in future. The ID stressed that IEC officials cannot all be tarred with the same brush. The ANC re-emphasised its position of support for free political activity everywhere and suggested that any complaints against it must be sent directly to the Western Cape Provincial Office.

A further meeting between ECCOC and political parties is planned for next week.