| The code of political conduct |
Wednesday, June 12, 2002 |
1 Non-violence and non-intimidation
(a) No person should engage in, adopt or otherwise encourage any form of violence or intimidation in their political activities.
(b) There should be no procurement or distribution of weapons or ammunition of any sort for use in political activities.
(c) No threats of violence or intimidation whatsoever, whether expressed or implied, should be made against anyone or any group of persons because of their political affiliation.
(d) No person should be forced, against their will, to declare their political affiliation or to acknowledge any affiliation whatsoever.
(e) Every individual should be free to go about his or her lawful business without restriction, harassment or intimidation and should actively discourage the erecting of roadblocks in this regard.
(f) Candidates or others acting on behalf of candidates must not use funds derived from any source, public or private, to improperly influence electoral choices.
2 Safety of private and public property
No damage should wilfully be done to any property, whether private or public, in the course of, or, as a result of any political event or activity.
3 Avoidance of confrontation
(a) Nothing should be done or encouraged which, it can be reasonably expected, will lead to volatile confrontation between opposing political factions.
(b) Every effort must be made to avoid any act which is likely to be provocative or which will increase tensions between opposing political factions.
4 Public utterances
Party officials (including platform speakers) should not make statements which:
(a) are inflammatory or likely to incite others to confrontation or violence;
(b) constitute slander or libel;
(c) are malicious in reference to opposing candidates, their family and party officials.
5. Freedom of access
(a) Nothing should be done to unlawfully prevent or restrict anyone from canvassing or campaigning in any place.
(b) Nothing should be done to unlawfully restrict or jeopardise the movement along any public road, of anyone or any group of persons engaged in legitimate political activity.
6. Avoidance of defacing of buildings
or installations
(a) There should be no defacing of any structure, roadway or installation (whether privately or publicly owned) for the purpose of displaying any political message or slogan except in such manner as is permitted by law.
(b) No action in relation to the distribution of any pamphlet, handbill, poster or any similar material shall be taken in such manner as would constitute a breach of the Anti-Litter Act.
7. Code of ethics
In case of a breach or suspected breach, the two parties agree that each side will, firstly, consult with the other and, if necessary, invoke the intervention of the tribunal before recourse of any other forum.
Nothing in the above should be deemed to mean that either side or any individual has relinquished ultimate recourse.