CONCERNS about the language employed on campaign platforms by political parties contesting the May 11 General and Regional elections were raised by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) last week.And the body has called for the “early adoption” of the Political Parties Code of Conduct to ensure that its tenets and philology resonate on the campaign trail.The PSC said, “The Commission is deeply concerned about the current rhetoric being uttered by political campaigners from their platforms and strongly condemns all language equivalent to incitement and breeding of hate amongst the citizens of our country.
“In this regard, the Commission also calls upon all political parties to facilitate early adoption of the Political Parties Code of Conduct and comply with its tenets and intended philosophy.”
Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr Steve Surujbally, when contacted by the Guyana Chronicle yesterday stated that he subscribes to the PSC’s sentiments “in toto.”
He added that the Code of Conduct is currently getting its “final touches” before being circulates to political parties for their “perusal and comments,” which would inform the final document.
The code of conduct for political parties is a guide of expected behaviours in the lead up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections.
Once political parties sign onto the Code of Conduct it is expected that the parties abide by the protocols documented in the code, all in the interest of free and fair General and Regional elections.
The General Secretaries of the Coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon, and the Alliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson, were unavailable for comment when contacted by this newspaper.
The advantage of having such an agreement in place, according to GECOM, relates to being able to guard against confrontational and vitriolic election campaign meetings/rallies and statements.
Contesting parties signing the code are viewed as demonstrating their willingness to implement their respective election campaign strategies in ways that contribute to the maintenance of peace and tranquility throughout and beyond the elections.
Rallies and public meetings, hosted by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the Alliance of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), are in full swing. The two major political parties are expected to hit the campaign trail with greater intensity closer to Nomination Day, April 7. (Vanessa Narine)