Political Parties Sign Code of Conduct
By: , February 12, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (left) and Acting Custos of St. Andrew, Lt. Commander John McFarlane show the Political Code of Conduct which the Prime Minister signed signaling her commitment to a peaceful election campaign. The signing took place at Emancipation Park in New Kingston, St. Andrew on Thursday morning (February 11). In the background is Political Ombudsman, Mrs. Donna Parchment Brown.The Facts
- Mrs. Simpson Miller, in stating her support, urged party members and supporters to play their part in ensuring a peaceful democratic process.
- The Political Code of Conduct governs the actions of the JLP, PNP and all other legitimate political parties in Jamaica and applies to all officials of political parties.
The Full Story
The two main political parties, the People’s National Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring a peaceful General Election through the signing of the Code of Political Conduct.
At a signing ceremony held today (February 11) at Emancipation Park in Kingston, the nominated candidates for the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew signed an agreement to abide by the rules of conduct governing the parties during the election process.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, and Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Holness, headed the list of signatories for their respective parties.
Mrs. Simpson Miller, in stating her support, urged party members and supporters to play their part in ensuring a peaceful democratic process.
“As individuals, all of us must do more to influence good social order, peace, respect for life and respect for each other. I felt very happy this morning when I saw both PNP candidates and JLP candidates can be civil to each other and even embrace. This should be what we find all over Jamaica, not just here this morning, and I hope that we will spread the love and respect for each other as candidates throughout the country,” she said.
She also took the opportunity to “categorically and publicly condemn the violence involving the shootings at the JLP’s rally in Montego Bay and I hope that this will not happen again anywhere else during the campaign. We are one Jamaican family working to shape the future together. There is no need for violence and hatred.”
The Political Code of Conduct governs the actions of the JLP, PNP and all other legitimate political parties in Jamaica and applies to all officials of political parties.
The code stipulates eight principles. These are: non-violence and non-intimidation; safety of private and public property; avoidance of confrontation; public utterances; freedom of access; avoidance of defacing of buildings and installations; code of ethics and political tribalism.