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Momodou
Denmark
11512 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Nov 2013 : 14:34:52
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PDOIS STATEMENT ON THE CODE OF CONDUCT
For Party Members As We Prepare For A New Leap Forward
ISSUED BY HALIFA SALLAH
SECRETARY GENERAL
Nov. 17, 2013
No party can make a leap forward without unity among its membership. This is inconceivable without uniformity in party principles, values and conduct.
To avoid the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing PDOIS has formulated a code of conduct for its members which we shall share after the publication of PDOIS ‘ Agenda 2016. It is however important to issue this statement so as to guide the conduct of members and supporters in the interim as we chart a new way forward.
It should be recognised by all that in a multi party system the sovereign people should be the focus of the political activities of all political parties. This is precisely because of the fact that their consent is what each party seeks in order to get a legitimate mandate and authority to govern. Hence legitimate political activity under a multi party system is a battle for the hearts and minds of the people. It does not constitute trade of insults, profanities and hate messages between opponents which serve the purpose of alienating all decent citizens from politics. Consent which is the tool for decision making under a democracy is founded on free will and not dictation. Every sovereign person is entitled to support a party of his or her choice and no one has a right to interfere with a person’s choice of leadership.
PDOIS is fully committed to such a principle which is universal in application and all her members should be guided by it in mind, heart, spirit and conduct.
It is important for all PDOIS members and supporters to take note of the fact that in today’s world each political leadership is responsible for the conduct of the people it leads. Hence leaders are accountable for any atrocities committed by the people they lead, unless they could show that they have made diligent effort to prevent them from being committed. This is why Uhuru Kenyatta and William Rutto are now before the ICC to answer to the call of justice.
The PDOIS leadership is very particular in adhering to international standards. This is why it has prepared a common code of conduct for its membership in order to ensure uniformity in values, principles and conduct, in words and deeds, consolidate party discipline and earn them the love of those who agree with them and the respect of those who oppose them.
As a registered political party PDOIS has conveyed to its members that Section 91(a) of the Elections Act clearly states that “No candidate or political party shall, during an election campaign period, insult or slander another candidate.”
As a member of the Inter Party Committee PDOIS is also committed to its code of conduct that bars the use of derogatory remarks against political opponents.
The reason why such a code of conduct is in place is to prevent political leaders from sowing hostility among sovereign citizens thus leading them to form warring factions that plunge their countries back to the stone age as failed states like Somalia or Libya or make them perpetrate genocide that continues to haunt them for eternity as has happened in Rwanda.
To prevent being associated with such a history PDOIS has urged its supporters and members not to engage in hate and profanity mongering but should try to win the hearts and minds of the people by showing what is wrong with the current order and what PDOIS intends to do to promote liberty and prosperity.
In our view, the use of hate messages and profanities is the first stage of hostile actions that leads to violent conflict. This is why all crisis resolution measures start with cessation of hostilities or war mongering overtones before moving on to call for Cease fire. Hence, if a party comes to a stage where it cannot exist without propagating hatred against the supporters of another political Party it would be best to deregister and become an armed warring faction.
In our view, since PDOIS intends to lead by relying on the consent of the people, the first stage of preventing hostilities is to contain all hate and profanity mongering.
Hence those who are genuine PDOIS supporters should rely on PDOIS policies and performance of National Duty to try to win the hearts and minds of sovereign Gambians while respecting the will of those whose hearts and minds lie elsewhere. Those who cannot adhere to this principle should not embrace PDOIS as the party of their choice.
Those who embrace these principles are given assurance that:
No one would arrest them, detain them, torture them or make them disappear without trace for propagating PDOIS policies and programmes or for views expressed that are reasonable and justifiable in a democratic society without PDOIS taking a robust stance in their defence. That is the dictate of truth and justice and is incontrovertible.
Respect the sovereignty of others and demand that they respect your own sovereignty. This is the foundation on which a genuine multi party system could thrive.
The End
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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