(HERALD) Code of conduct for parties

Code of conduct for parties
Monday, 14 November 2011 00:00
Lovemore Chikova Deputy News Editor

POLITICAL parties causing violence will be held accountable following the drafting of a Code of Conduct by the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration. The code compels political parties to publicly campaign against violence.
It will establish a National Peace and Reconciliation Council to resolve political disputes.

Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration co-chair Senator Sekai Holland said they were seeking ways to ensure punitive measures are part of the Code of Conduct.

"The draft Code of Conduct is already being discussed by all political parties and we want to synthesise what the political parties are saying," she said.

"People are asking us the same question on how we will make the Code of Conduct effective. It will be voluntary to start with. But it will have a punitive mechanism for enforcement and possibly instilling discipline.

"The document is now with various stakeholders who will study it and recommend how we can enforce it to ensure there is peace in the country.

"The data from stakeholders helped us to produce a policy document based on views of Zimbabweans to develop a culture of peace," she said.

President Mugabe and MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai last week said the Code of Conduct will be used to reign in perpetrators of violence. They said this while addressing Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC executives at a meeting to seek ways to end political violence.

Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa said the party's Politburo discussed the document at its last meeting.

"As a party we were happy with the document. However, it is not about the paper alone, but how people behave as we go to the elections. It is about how people submit themselves to what is written in that paper."

Cde Mutasa said political parties' acceptance of the Code of Conduct was important.
MDC organising secretary Mr Qubani Moyo said they were yet to receive the document.
"We have heard about it, but I think it is still work in progress because it is yet to be finalised," he said.

The Code of Conduct says leaders of political parties will be compelled to issue directives forbidding the intimidation of opponents.

"The leader of a party that has subscribed to this code will instruct the party's officials, candidates, members and supporters that no weapon of any kind, including any traditional weapon, may be brought to any political rally, meeting, march or other demonstration," reads the Code of Conduct.

"A party that has subscribed to this code will not engage in or permit any kind of violent activity to demonstrate party strength or to prove supremacy."

Inter-party and stakeholders committees will be established at national, provincial and district levels to deal with political violence.

The Code of Conduct calls for political parties to manage their election campaigns in ways that do not infringe on the activities of others.

It emphasises that political parties should be able to campaign and disseminate their political ideas without fear.

It touches on conduct of political parties during polling, accepting the outcome of a free and fair election, the use of right language during campaignc and that parties should not imitate symbols of others.

"A party that has subscribed to this code accepts that intimidation in any form is unacceptable," reads the Code of Conduct.

"A party that has subscribed to this code will not use official State, provincial, municipal or other public resources for campaign purposes."

The Code of Conduct compels political parties to desist from bribery to garner votes.