Date: 13/04/2011
Source: The Democratic Alliance
Title: DA: Zille: Speech by the leader of the DA, at the signing of the IEC pledge, Midrand



It is a great honour to sign this pledge committing the Democratic Alliance to upholding the Independent Electoral Commission's Electoral Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct commits every party to promoting political tolerance, respect for the right to express divergent political views, freedom of association and freedom of expression. It is a code that the Democratic Alliance takes very seriously indeed.

In a democracy, voters have the right to hear different policies and opinions before they make a choice and cast their ballot. For voters to be fully informed, they deserve open access to party manifestos and campaigns through the media and direct engagement with party candidates.

Our democracy can only mature if voters also take their responsibility seriously to inform themselves of the choices they face. This means that political parties have a duty to stick to the issues. The Democratic Alliance is certainly committed to making the issues the issue.

Loyalty to our constitutional democratic order is much more important than narrow party loyalty. People and political parties who understand this love our South Africa. They are the true patriots of our country.

In the five weeks remaining of the election campaign, let all of us live the value of tolerance. Let us refrain from violence and intimidation. Let us put an end to the name calling. Let us stop playing the race card. Let all of us make the issues the issue. 

Let every citizen and political party emerge from this election knowing that they played their part to enrich and consolidate our young democracy. 
 
Thank you.