Jagdeo calls out ERC for lack of code of conduct ahead of elections

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has called out the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) over the delayed code of conduct, which should have been in place for the elections season to govern the manner in which political parties conduct their campaigns.

Political parties normally sign onto the code of conduct – a pledge to ensure that the messages delivered to supporters are free of all forms of discrimination. During his press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo insisted that the framework is needed especially during the pre-electoral season when inflammatory statements might be made.
The code of conduct, he noted, should have been signed by contesting parties before Elections Day rather than after the polls are completed. At that time, the Commission was called out for failing to ensure that this is done.
“That is what the ERC seems to heading for, when the elections are over, then to sign this code of conduct because no other party seems to be interested and we have no leadership from the ERC to take strong action against people. I’ve seen some of these small parties using caricature to stereotype political parties and people of different races and not a single word of condemnation although that is illegal.”
Thus far, the Commission has sent out two drafts of the document. He noted that while his party has committed to the guidelines established in the document, the same response is lacking from the others.
“We must now have inflammatory rhetoric and we’re prepared to sign to that. The last time the ERC sent us a draft, we were the only party that responded, the only party. We gave them a ton of ideas. I’ve seen now another draft come from the ERC. We’ve responded already. But they will have that signed when the elections are over it seems,” Jagdeo said.
GECOM has confirmed that 11 political parties were given the clearance to compete in the National and Regional Elections set for March 2, 2020. However, the conduct will ensure that all politicians are held accountable for their actions, before, during and after the hosting of the elections.
Last month, Chairman of the ERC, Dr John Smith had disclosed that the code of conduct was sent to all parties contesting the elections.
“The ERC, during interactions with various political parties, proposed the signing of a code of conduct relevant to the elections period. A draft was shared with the parties for suggested inputs. The Commission remains optimistic for a public signing in the near future. The Commission also anticipates a similar code of conduct from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). It is hopeful that upon signing, the content of both would be honoured,” the Chairman had said.
At that time, the agency was empowered to recommend the banning of political parties from participating in elections if it is found guilty of breaching laws dealing with ethnicity. However, over the years, no action was ever taken against groups or individuals for breaching such laws.
The code of conduct will address the conduct of politicians in all public forums, including political rallies.
After several years of being defunct, a new ERC was established in 2018. The body’s mandate is to provide equality of opportunity between persons of different ethnic groups and to promote harmony and good relations between such persons and provide the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the basis of ethnicity.
It is also required to discourage and prohibit persons, institutions, political parties and associates from indulging in, advocating or promoting discriminatory practices on the ground of ethnicity.