Political parties contesting the upcoming national elections signed a pledge on Wednesday morning committing themselves to adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct.

The chief electoral officer at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Pansy Tlukula said the code prohibits violence, defamation and intimidation in terms of the Electoral Act.

Contravention of the code could result in "serious legal consequences" or sanctions in the form of barring a political party's candidate from participating in the election.

The poll, which is 42 days away, has attracted the highest number of voters since the voters' roll was established in 1999.

A 27.6 percent increase in the number of voters registered was recorded by the IEC.

Key political parties would be participating on a national and/or provincial level.

IEC chairwoman Brigalia Bam said South Africa was a model and a "beacon of hope" and she hoped that the upcoming elections would go further in making the country proud.

Leaders of the political parties participating in the election were present including African National Congress president Jacob Zuma, Congress of the People president Terror Lekota, senior Democratic Alliance leader Joe Seremane, and African Christian Democratic Party leader Kenneth Meshoe.

Senior members of the ruling party were also in the audience including ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa, Women's League president Angie Motshekga, and National Executive Committee member Jessie Duarte.