ST.MAARTEN – Eight political parties signed the Code of Conduct established by the Christian council of Churches, the United Ministerial Foundation and the Seventh Day Adventist communities during a brief ceremony at Holland House yesterday morning. With the code, the parties that are taking part in the September 26 elections promise to abide by a set of rules that should result in a clean and fair campaign for the elections.
The authors of the code state in the document that “in the past undesirable aspects have marred election campaigns and have belittled the name of St. Maarten.”
All contesting parties should conduct a clean and fair campaign for the elections, is rule number one in the code. Furthermore, “candidates seeking election should endeavor to be role models for the community in terms of moral rectitude.” (Rectitude is morally correct behavior or thinking . ed).
The code also states that candidates must always show respect for the other person’s point of view.
“Candidates are urged during the campaign to deal constructively with the issues that are of great concern for St. Maarten at the present time and make political statements about them,” reads rule number four.
Under 5., the code addresses the don’ts of this election campaign. The authors urge candidates to abstain from bribery and vote rigging for the purpose of obtaining votes, from victimization or harassment during and after the campaign and from mudslinging and character assassination.
All parties sign Code of Conduct
