Parties sign IEC’s election pledge
Pledge to abide by the Electoral Code of Conduct for the national and provincial elections on May 29
Political parties in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday signed the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) pledge to abide by the Electoral Code of Conduct for the 2024 national and provincial elections.
The signing ceremony was held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC).
According to the IEC, the purpose of the event was to publicly promote tolerance of democratic political activity as party leaders and the KZN independent candidates committed to abide by electoral laws and condemn any action that undermines free and fair elections.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said the practical commitment by political parties to free, fair and peaceful elections in KZN was a clear indication of the great strides that the people of the province have made in entrenching stability and cementing lasting peace.
“We have made major strides in establishing peace and tolerance as a way of life in our province.
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our democratic breakthrough, we commend the maturity displayed by various political parties through the signing of this pledge.
"Unlike most of our sister provinces, we know the brutality of political intolerance and the social devastation that this wreaks on our people.
Therefore, this commitment by political parties is much more than just appending signatures to a pledge, but a solemn promise to our people that they will not allow the elections to take us back to the days of instability,” said the premier.
She said conservative estimates indicated that more than 20 000 people have died as a result of internecine political violence in KZN, from the late 1980s to way beyond the democratic moment in 1994.
The African National Congress provincial chairperson, Siboniso Duma, signed the pledge on behalf of theANC.
Following his pledge, Duma said with only a month and a few weeks to go before the national and provincial elections, the ANC was committed to promote political tolerance, unity, peace and freedom of choice.
“Since we ushered in democracy on April 27, 1994, leaders of the ANC in this province have been at the forefront of the promotion of co-existence of political parties.”
“We all know that in this province it was not uncommon for political differences in the provincial legislature to spill over into the communities,” he said.
He said all of that had changed and political intolerance had been transformed to create a new spirit of open but peaceful competition and cooperation.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) KZN premier candidate, Chris Pappas, who signed the pledge on behalf of the party said: “Today we mark an important commitment to uphold democracy through the signing of the Independent Electoral Commission’s Code of Conduct.
This ceremony is not merely a formality; it is a pledge to every citizen of South Africa that we are dedicated to maintaining a democratic process that is fair, respectful, and peaceful.”
“As the Democratic Alliance’s premier candidate for the 2024 general elections, I urge all political parties and their representatives to ensure an electoral process that is peaceful, fair, and credible.
Our adherence to these principles is essential for every voter to feel safe and informed, free from intimidation or violence.”
Not all party leaders signed the pledge at the event. Controversially, Abantu Batho Congress (ABC) leader Philani Mavundla chose not to sign the pledge, contesting that it should have been translated into isiZulu.
However, according to the IEC, Mavundla eventually signed the pledge when the ceremony was over.