Code of Conduct for December general elections

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council and the National Monitoring and Consultative Mechanism (NMCM)

1. Candidates will address themselves to issues and principles dealing with national growth, development and the real concerns of the people.

2. Candidates will not make grandiose promises, which they know cannot be kept. {{more}}

3. Candidates will not use half-truths, lies, innuendoes or bribes to gain political advantage.

4. Candidates will not use race, religion, country of origin, or class to mobilize support or to vilify any individual, family or section of the society.

5. Candidates will not engage directly or indirectly in character assassination.

6. Candidates will not say or do anything to incite, encourage or foster hatred, resentment or any form of violence, but rather will do everything to promote tolerance, harmony, and peace.

7. Candidates will maintain the highest moral principles in keeping with Christian Ethics during the campaign, the elections, and afterwards.

8. There shall be no organized and advertised motorcades.

9. Chairpersons of meetings shall appeal for peaceful behaviour at all times.

10. The Christian Council along with the NMCM, shall monitor political meetings and ensure that the Code of Conduct is observed.

11. Candidates shall take all reasonable steps to influence supporters and members of the public to abide by the Code of Conduct.

12. All parties shall cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order.

13. Where political meetings are held at roadsides, vehicles shall be allowed to pass freely.

14. Each party shall have equal free time on the National Broadcasting Corporation. The principle of equality shall also hold for other electronic media, in so far as free access is concerned.

15. Parties shall respect hours of church service and not disrupt public worship as far as possible. Churches holding public meetings in times of Elections shall inform the Commissioner of Police of their intentions in order to avoid unnecessary clashes with planned political meetings.

16. Political parties shall avoid defacing public buildings and structures. The rights of

private property owners shall be respected.

17. Posters may go on lampposts and other appropriate structures.

18. Political party leaders shall maintain an open line of communication with one another.

19. The members of the NMCM shall meet with the Commissioner of Police from time to time.

20. Parties shall adhere to the letter and the spirit of the representation of the People Act.

Chairpersons and platform Speakers and other authorized persons making public statements on behalf of Political Parties have the same

responsibility as the Candidates in adhering to the Code of Conduct.

The Christian Council and the NMCM are responsible for monitoring the Code, which includes the adherence to the letter and spirit of the representation of the People Act.

Although this Code is not a legislative instrument it is expected that all leaders and candidates shall scrupulously adhere to it.

The public is invited to register objection to any breach of the Code and report to the Council and the NMCM accordingly.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council

Tel: (784) 451-2356

National Monitoring and Consultative Mechanism (NMCM)

Tel: (784) 485-6260