Antigua Labour Party signs election code of conduct

Friday, February 20, 2004

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua: The leader of the ruling Antigua Labour Party (ALP), Prime Minister Lester Bird, together with the other members of his party who will be contesting the forthcoming general elections, on Wednesday signed a Code of Conduct which he says is designed primarily to combat the perception or reality of corruption in government. 

He further noted that it would promote the conduct of the general election in a climate of democracy and democratic tolerance in which political activity can take place without fear of coercion or intimidation.

The Code of Conduct, believed to be the first of its kind to be signed by an incumbent government in the Caribbean, requires the ALP candidates to uphold the dignity of the party, its constitution and its rules. "In conducting their campaigns, Candidates must show the greatest respect for religion, for religious differences, for the racial composition of the Antigua and Barbuda society; for gender in particular women. There should be no attacks on political opponents, or any other sect! ion of society, on the grounds of sex, religion, race or country of birth," Principle III of the code exhorts.

The document also requires the candidates to commit themselves and their campaign teams to maintain a high standard, restraining themselves from breaching election laws and procedures. It says that in the case of public disturbances, Candidates and their campaign teams are to advise, and seek the assistance of, police and other authorities concerned, and in no case resort to measures of their own.

The fourteenth Principle of the Code requires candidates who are successful in their bid to become Members of Parliament to adhere to protecting the integrity of public life by advancing and supporting measures to guard against corruption. In the event that acts of corruption are committed by the Candidates, they will be required to tender their resignations from the Party and any Government it may form, or accept dismissal.

The seventeen candidates who affixed their signatures to the document also agreed to declare their income, assets and liabilities to the Ombudsman and if elected to the House of Representatives to the Speaker of the House and the Governor-General.

The signing of the Code of Conduct by the Antigua Labour Party candidates follows in the wake of the signing of the Inter-American Convention on Corruption and the presentation of Anti-Corruption and Integrity in Public Office legislation in parliament by the government.

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