PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Friday September 5, 2014, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago political parties have signed a nine-page Code of Ethical Political Conduct with Roman Catholic Archbishop Joseph Harris saying “we believe it is a good moment for the nation”.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and the leader of the Congress of the People (COP) party, Praksah Ramadar, were not present at the signing on Thusday, but their respective political parties were represented at the event that was being coordinated by the Roman Catholic Church.
“We believe it is a good moment for the nation and that if we can fulfill what is in the code then I think our country would have taken a step forward,” Archbishop Harris said.
The five-part charter outlines a prohibited code of conduct that includes “No use of State resources for political campaigning; Not offering any inducement or reward to anyone joining a political party; Not use of language to provoke violence or make false or defamatory allegations”.
The charter, officiated by Archbishop Harris and co-chaired by Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute head, Deryck Murray.
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Section Three of the Code urges the political parties to refrain from using State advertising to induce media support and also to ensure that all parties participated in at least two live, televised public debates.
Each of the represented parties will nominate one member which will form a council. Those nominees are expected to be named by September 26. The council is expected to oversee and enforce the code.
The organisers said that the Code is expected to achieve four objectives including foster democracy, promote respect of human rights, encourage participation in the electoral process and promote an election process free from violence.
The document was also signed by Dr. Keith Rowley of the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) and the Independent Liberal Party (ILP) founded by Austin “Jack” Warner. It was also signed by the leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) David Abdulah.
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Catholic Archbishop says new Code of Ethics “a good moment” for Trinidad & Tobago
