Latest update March 21st, 2025 5:44 AM
Political Parties code of conduct to come on stream by Friday
With the political parties code of conduct expected to be signed to by the end of the week, concerns have
Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine
been raised over its implementation and enforcement.
The issuance of the code is especially crucial as several leading politicians have been heavily criticized for their utterances on the campaign trail.
The code of conduct for political parties is a guide which details the behaviour politicians are expected to adhere to, as the May 11 General and Regional elections approach.
Once the contesting political party affixes its signature to the document, it is expected that the party adhere to the particulars of the code, in order to ensure an elections free of incitement and inflammatory rhetoric.
Speaking at a recent press conference, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Co- chair and Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine spoke of anticipating the code of conduct, but expressed concern over its implementation. “I understand that a code of conduct has been issued. We welcome it and will certainly be signing on.”
“Having a code of conduct is a good thing. Having the capacity to enforce it is another. So we would like a code of conduct that is implemented.”
“It’s no point just proclaiming a code. You have to have a code that can actually be implemented and for which there will be penalties for its violations.”
When contacted by Kaieteur News, chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)
Gecom Chairman
Dr. Steve Surujbally
Dr. Steve Surujbally, confirmed that the 2015 political draft parties code of conduct is expected to be completed by today and will be circulated to the political parties who have confirmed their participation in the General and Regional elections through submission of their list of candidate’s on Nomination Day.
According to the GECOM chairman, the political parties will then have an opportunity to peruse the code of conduct, which is a modified version of the 2011 document, then decide if it is suitable enough.
Surujbally continued, that if there are recommendations or further elements the parties would like to see in the document, these can be taken into consideration and included into the finished document.
He gave Friday, April 17, as a tentative date for the official signing.
Stating that GECOM’s most effective means of enforcement is the ‘name, blame and shame’ method, Dr. Surujbally noted that political parties are bound to honor the code of conduct.
“Voters will reconsider a party that cannot keep its word for such a sacrosanct document.” Rallies and public meetings are in full swing and have already produced their fair share of controversial language.
Most recently, former President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo was cited by the Media Monitoring Unit (MMU) for making ‘racially charged’ comments at Babu Jaan. A private court action filed by Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram, was subsequently brought against him following the release of the MMU’s report.
He is slated to appear at the Whim Magistrate’s Court on April 20, on the charge of using ‘racially divisive’ language.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
“One Guyana” is no less a national slogan than “Green Guyana”
Kaieteur News- The notion that “One Guyana” is a partisan slogan is pure poppycock. It is a desperate fiction... more
If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?
Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS, Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- In the latest... more
Weekend Cartoon
