Following the adoption of Regulation No. 1/2024 on the Use and Purpose of a Code of Conduct, and the National Elections Commission Code of Conduct 2024, the National Elections Commission (NEC) has taken a significant step towards electoral preparations by having the commissioners individually sign the said Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct formulates values and principles for the professional and ethical conduct of members and employees of the NEC.
The event took place during the NEC Operational Planning retreat in Entebbe, marking a crucial step towards conducting democratic, inclusive, transparent, peaceful, and credible elections in the country.
Key Provisions of the Code of Conduct include:
- Respect for the Rule of Law: requiring its signatories to ensure that the legal framework relating to elections is implemented in an impartial and equitable manner.
- Impartiality and Neutrality: requiring its signatories to maintain neutrality, avoid partisan support, disclose potential conflicts of interest, and avoid accepting gifts or favors from election-related entities.
- Transparency: requiring its signatories to provide effective access to electoral documents and information in a timely manner. This includes consulting with electoral stakeholders regularly and providing the legal rationale behind decisions made by the election administration.
- Accuracy: requiring its signatories to ensure that all information collected, compiled, and published by the NEC has a sound factual basis and is presented in a systematic, clear, and unambiguous manner.
- Service to Voters: requiring its signatories to aim to provide the highest quality service to voters, ensuring they adequately understand the election process and can exercise their political rights effectively.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Code of Conduct also outlines the duties and responsibilities of NEC members and staff. These include serving with impartiality and professionalism, exercising their powers without undue influence, and acting in the best interests of the people of South Sudan. They are also required to protect confidential information, attend all NEC meetings, and report any improper influence or misconduct. The signing of the Code of Conduct in Entebbe is an important milestone towards upholding the highest standards of conduct and ethics. This move is expected to enhance the credibility and integrity of the electoral process in South Sudan.
