Code of Conduct for political parties

An essential part of free and fair elections is freedom of political campaigning. Everyone has the right to express his or her political convictions and ideas, without threat or fear of intimidation. Freedom of political campaigning, however, also carries responsibilities which include the freedom of others to express their own and independent opinion.

The Namibian political parties, associations, organisations and independent candidates subscribe to the following:

Intimidation, in any form, is impermissible

• No weapon of any kind, including any traditional weapon, may be brought to any political rally, meeting, march or other demonstration. 
• Parties shall avoid holding rallies, meetings, marches or demonstrations physically close to one another during the same time of the day 
• Parties shall refrain from utilising public address system, either fixed or mobile between 21:00 and 07:00 hours and which could constitute a public nuisance 
• Speakers at political rallies may not use language which incites violence in any form against any other person or group of persons. Parties will not issue pamphlets, newsletters or posters which contain materials which incite people to violence. 
• Party members and supporters will not seek to obstruct other persons from attending the political rallies of other parties 
• Party members and supporters will not disfigure or destroy political or campaign materials of other parties 

Party leaders will use their good offices to seek to ensure reasonable freedom of access by all political parties to potential voters, including those at farms and on state owned properties, outside working hours

• Parties will establish lines of communication to one another at headquarters, regional and local levels, and will appoint liaison personnel who will be constantly on call to deal with problems that may arise 

The Director of Elections will meet party representatives on a weekly basis to discuss all matters of concern related to the election campaign and the election itself. Emergency meetings will be convened as and when necessary 

Designated members will attend their parties’ rallies to ensure compliance with this Code. 

All allegations of intimidation and other unlawful conduct in the election campaign will be brought to the attention of the Police and to the attention of Directorate of Elections at the place where they are alleged to have occurred. 

Party leaders will issue directions to their members and supporters to observe this Code of Conduct, and take all other necessary steps to ensure compliance. 

The Electoral Commission of Namibia and party leaders undertake to publicise this Code of Conduct throughout Namibia by all means at their disposal. 

Parties will in their advertising and propaganda efforts take care not to disfigure the environment.