IHAE publishes Election Code of Conduct

The Independent Higher Authority for Elections (IHAE) published a Code of Conduct involving all stakeholders in the National Constituent Assembly election. The Code of Conduct was distributed under the form of a leaflet on Monday during IHAE's meeting with the political parties. Stakeholders in the electoral process are IHAE and its regional chapters, political parties, independent candidates and their representatives, monitors and observers, the media as well as public institutions and the civil society. IHAE, tasked with preparing and supervising the elections and monitoring the electoral process under decree-law 35-2011 dated May 10, 2011 shall: -Abide by the law organising elections and make sure that it is enforced in the prescribed time. -Show neutrality towards parties, candidates, observers, monitors and the media. -Show precision and integrity in collecting and publishing documents and information on elections. -Ensure transparency in revision of the electoral process and disclose any possible drift. -Guarantee best service to voters and preserve their rights at all stages of the electoral process. Political parties and independent candidates shall: -Abide by the election law, the decision of IHAE and courts. -Conduct electoral campaigns in a peaceful way in respect of the deadlines, away from places of worship and work, universities and educational institutions; and stick to spaces reserved to posting. -Respect the right of other candidates to conduct their campaigns in total freedom and refrain from spreading rumours or defamatory comments against them. -Fund legally electoral campaigns and refrain from using suspicious resources at home or abroad. -Respect the rights of voters, refrain from exerting pressure on them, threatening them or assaulting them, and respect the principles of freedom and secrecy of the vote. -Collaborate with the IHAE and its regional sections and respect monitors, observers, security officers and the Army for the smooth running of the process. Media pledge to publish information in full honesty, precision and integrity and cover the electoral process in respect of: -Fairness and impartiality. -Independence and responsibility. -Equality in coverage and presentation of the activities of parties, individuals and all candidates. -Not inciting violence and fomenting susceptibilities on sensitive issues and refrain from publishing contents affecting the normal running of the electoral process. -Respect pre-election silence and refrain from covering any political campaign between the end of the electoral campaign and the end of the vote. Monitors and observers are called upon to: -Comply with the law and uses, respect all sides and draw attention on irregular practices. -Show neutrality, not intervene and report all irregularities to IHAE. -Introduce their identity and documents handed by IHAE and its regional branches to the directors in charge of polling stations. - Show professionalism and rely on written and verifiable documents. Besides, IHAE will soon finalise a special guide-book on the voting and vote-counting operations.