Political parties were reminded of the
restrictions in the Electoral Act and the electoral commission's code of
conduct at an election readiness seminar.
AS the national elections draw closer, the
City says it is ready for the task, ensuring they will run smoothly with
minimum or no disruptions.
Speaking at a seminar organised by the
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) "to cultivate a culture of political
tolerance and respect of the country's Constitution" among contesting political
parties, Sibongile Mazibuko, the municipal electoral officer in Johannesburg,
said the City was committed to contributing towards the delivery of free and
fair elections.
"The City has invested money - not in a
partisan way - to help the IEC run smooth elections in the city. We hope this
year's elections will be as authentic and legitimate as the previous ones."
There are over 1,8 million voters registered
in Johannesburg,
who are expected to flock to the polls on 22 April to cast their votes in the
national and provincial elections. With so many voters, it is a heavy task making
sure no hitches are encountered.
Mazibuko said the seminar, attended by IEC
officials and representatives of political parties, would help those parties prepare
for the elections and also instil a sense of respect for each other in the run
up to and during the elections.
Electoral Act
Commissioner Colin Hendricks from the South African Police Service spoke about
the offences highlighted in the Electoral Act and the regulations to which
political parties and the general public need to adhere.
"The purpose of this information is to
highlight the offences created in the Act. Through this, members of the police
will be better informed and be able to serve the community in a more
professional way."
He listed a range of offences commonly committed
by political parties during elections, saying it was an offence to unlawfully
persuade a person to vote or not to vote for any registered party or candidate.
Offenders faced a 10-year sentence if found guilty.
"Then there is the common offence of people
removing election posters of rival political parties. This is a serious offence
that many people take lightly. If caught and found guilty, a person may spend
three years in prison."
Most importantly, Hendricks said, using
language or acting in a way that may provoke violence was prohibited. "This
includes publishing false or defamatory allegations against an opposition
political party. This offence carries a maximum sentence of five years."
Code of conduct
Once registered as a political party in terms of the Electoral Act, a party was
bound the IEC's code of conduct, said Simon Mamabolo, the Gauteng provincial electoral
officer.
"The purpose of the code of conduct is to
promote conditions conducive to free and fair elections, including free
political campaigning and open public debate. Every registered party and
candidate must comply with the code and must instruct their office bearers,
representatives, members and supporters to comply with the code."
Referring to recent political unrest in
some parts of the country sparked by rival political meetings being held on the
same day and in the same place, Mamabolo stressed that the code stated that
every registered party must liaise with other contesting parties and the relevant
police station or IEC office when planning to hold public meetings, rallies or
other public political events.
This was to ensure that contesting
political parties did not hold their rallies at the same time and in the same place,
he said.
"No person may carry or display arms or
weapons at political meetings, rallies, marches or other public political events.
[And] no person may deface or unlawfully remove or destroy placards or other
election materials of a party."
Posters
Concerning posters, Mazibuko said there was a specific regulation in Johannesburg that all
posters be removed within a certain time period after the election day.
"As the City, we have a responsibility that
all election posters are removed by concerned parties. The City employs a
private company that is tasked with removing posters after the deadline has
passed at R6,50 per poster, an amount that will be paid by the offending
party."
Asked about the display of election posters
on billboards way after elections were over, Mazibuko said the City had no
control over such billboards. "Billboards are a private space owned by
advertising companies. There is a commercial arrangement between the company
and the party concerned - thus we have no power over such arrangements."
Voting day
On voting day, Masego Shiburi, the IEC manager of electoral matters, said no
political events such as marches, public meetings, rallies or demonstrations were
allowed anywhere.
"On voting day, no political activity whatsoever
except casting a vote are allowed inside the boundary of a voting station."
Only two agents per party were allowed at a
voting station, he said. "No party agents are allowed to wear any party regalia
or to canvass for votes within the boundaries of a voting station. However,
voters are allowed to wear or display party regalia inside the boundaries of a
voting station," Shiburi explained.
On the contentious issue of tables and
tents set up by political parties outside voting stations, Shiburi said the
presiding officer at a particular voting station had the final say on the location
of these tables and tents.
"The must not impede direct and free access
to the voting station entrance. They must also not cause undue influence of
voters or cause harassment of voters," he said.
Related stories:
Related links:
- Independent Electoral Commission
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