Political candidates, parties warned against ‘unrealistic election promises’
A section of Road Town.
Political parties and candidates who will be participating in the upcoming general elections are being warned against making promises they knowingly cannot deliver.
This policy has been outlined in a draft of a code of conduct for political parties and political candidates document that the Office of the Deputy Governor released ahead of the upcoming General Election.
The anti-false promise policy specifically states: “Candidates must avoid raising unfulfillable expectations and making unrealistic promises.”
The code of conduct document has also forbidden the practice of personal attacks on the character of any political candidate.
“The emphasis must be on issues rather than personalities. Candidates must also avoid defamation of character of their opponents, their families, and supporters.”
The document — which also forbids publication of false or defamatory allegations about a party or its affiliates — continued: “No abusive attacks or innuendos may be directed to campaigners or their family members for reason of their political affiliation, race, social origins and background, education, gender, religion, or any other reason.”
Mudslinging
These rules are being presented amid reports that the current political landscape is being soiled with mudslinging tactics by certain political groups and candidates.
Meanwhile, other prohibited practices include bribery, violence and intimination, and preventing local media from accessing public political meetings, demonstrations, and rallies.
Groups or individuals who do not comply with the regulations outlined in the code of conduct could be subject to penalties, the document said.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office, Carolyn Stoutt Igwe has said the draft code was developed after conducting research.
The code comprises 11 sections to include general principles, public commitment, prohibited conduct and acts, compliance, duty to cooperate, conduct during the polling period, the announcement of results of the election, respect for journalists, among other things.
Persons are invited to review the code and present feedback by November 12.
Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates
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I haven’t read this code, but I hope it also says something about making wild and unsubstantiated allegations about “corruption” which then get widely reported in the local and global media.
If you have proof of corruption, then fine. Nobody should be shouting it out just because it sounds good at a rally.
We need the audits, or else we saying it all day everyday! We need to know who benefited from the airline and plane money. We need to know how much went into TPP!$$$$
If the incumbent can’t answer our questions, we calling it what it is. Looting and corruption! Pilferage nepotism, buying votes and all the other ways we can say corruption!
I would think that was enough evidence. Ok Albion?
Nonsense!!!! You want which audit? These documents are made public ALL THE TIME and hardly anyone takes the time to go through them for facts. The truth is we all love mellee and confusion and nobody checking any audits or documents. We believe what we believe based on who we like and support and that’s been proven time and time again. Who do you think you’re fooling? If people were really interested in audits and facts they would demand that everything from the last 20 years be released and dissected. Imagine all the hoopla about a wall costing $900K and nothing about so much millions spent elsewhere. These things are all about witch hunts for who we hate and excuses for who we love. FACT!
In the name of Jesus you have written complete truths. Yet, most will never read them. The majority of us will go on through life in a state of semi literateness and semi ignorance. Thank God there are a few like you who are fully literate and knowledgable. Continue to share and educate.
We have much more than forty years left in the desert.
You are correct. If this code is upheld then I’m sorry for some of these parties when it comes to campaigning for all they have is a bunch of old hot air about who is corrupt and false promises. Take that away and their rallies will be mute. This is interesting to say the least and I’m glad that they’re now forcing these people seeking our votes to offer substance instead of shallow BS. Long overdue!
The people are demanding transparency. Why don’t elected officials release their tax returns? Why don’t elected officials release a statement showing their beneficial interests in BVI Companies? Why doesn’t our Finance Minister/Premier release the annual audits of our accounts?
We would like to trust those in charge of our money. But let’s be honest. Why would someone invest $7.2 Million in a project without conducting due diligence? Why would they prepay this amount ahead of the terms in the agreement?
Aren’t we entitled to know the answers to these questions?
Tax returns??!! Where are we in the US or the BVI? There is a Register of Interests that each politician must or ought to be filing annually when in Office. If you are so interested to know whether it’s being done or not, contact the Registrar of Interests. She’s in the same location for years now.
There is little or no accountability in the BVIs these days. People flaunt laws left, right and center. The place is ethically compromised. Do people here even know the meaning of ethics? And, now there is an expectation that politicians will abide by a code of conduct? That’s simply not realistic. Besides, what if a candidate does not abide by said code?
The politicians will NEVER be who the voters are NOT! Think about that very carefully and deeply!
Perhaps we should look to and emulate the ethical practices, historical to present of the “Throne and motherland,” and of the “Throne of the white house over yonder?”
Of course we know of ethics. Who taught the European about such and more?
Your efforts to belittle us carries no substance, as your narrative(s) are based upon falsehoods and hidden agendas.
If your job as a spy is to destabilize our country, you are doing a very poor job. Perhaps head quarters should reevaluate your productivity.
To the commenters above: Of course, “we” know of ethics, but there is little evidence that the politicians do. Ethics is the discipline of dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. That in turn depends on the societal values we choose. For example, is it right that politicians should be fiscally irresponsible with the public purse? Is it right that they should shun investment in education, which is an investment in the future? Isn’t it a politician’s obligation to to what is morally right (i.e. look after the interests of the electorate)? And, yes, we can say that these issues most assuredly occur in other countries, but why do we have to stoop to emulate them?
And, no, no effort to belittle anyone, or to destabilize the country on my part. On the contrary. If we can identify and define a problem at hand, we can fix it if we commit to do so. That in turn requires discipline and a commitment to do what is right in accordance to whatever values we choose to espouse as a society. It is indeed regrettable that a policy has to be drafted. Suggests to me like the moral compass is defective.
As to the allegation politicians NOT being who the voters are, that presents a quandary. If the voters are ethical, the politicians would not be (not good). But if the politicians are ethical and the voters not, then why would the voters elect them to implement policy that would logically be ethical?
Thank you for your civil and thoughtful response. Much appreciated!! Such is a very rare commidity these days.
If it is meant to be, two minds will meet and have a very lively debate someday.
Oh boy, this is a pepper pot, an overreach in some cases. The best general practice is to under promise and over deliver. If a candidate is not outright lieing, who will be the promise police to determine if an action/promise is not attainable? The electorate, not the promise police, should determine if a promise is reasonable and attainable or not. The electorate is smart enough to not listen to or reward a politician or party for chatting froth.
Truth is truth and truth matters. Truth may be painful to some but it is truth. If a party or politician is telling the truth and not libeling or slandering an opponent, all is fair in war and peace; a campaign is war. It is not for choir boys or the faint of heart. Further, there is a legal process for addressing libel and slander. Again, what legally happens on the campaign trail should left to the electorate to decide if it wants to hear it or not. Look as if there is an effort to sanitize the trail, make it politically correct, and speak for the electorate, for it is not bright enough and weak to think for itself. I do not like the politics of personal destruction but if a party or candidate is telling the truth and not libeling or slandering, let things rip. Again, the electorate will decide if it wants and likes this style of campaigning. It will send the answer at the polls. If the intent is to control truth, non libelous or non slanderous campaign, why not just accept applications and let the electorate vote.
Think the Governor’s Office is wading in too deep into the campaign waters. I plead ignorance on local election. As such, is election a local or a crown responsibility? Regardless of whom is responsible, the following is appropriate:”Meanwhile, other prohibited pactises include bribery, violence and intimination, and preventing local media from accessing public political meetings, demonstrations, and rallies.” Moreover, Will politicians be held liable for speech in the HOA. Is this whole charade a solution looking for a problem? Politics is a different animal to law, religion, medicine, engineering……etc.
Oh boy, this is a pepper pot, an overreach in some cases. The best general practice is to under promise and over deliver. If a candidate is not outright lieing, who will be the promise police to determine if an action/promise is not attainable? The electorate, not the promise police, should determine if a promise is reasonable and attainable or not. The electorate is smart enough to not listen to or reward a politician or party for chatting froth.
Truth is truth and truth matters. Truth may be painful to some but it is truth. If a party or politician is telling the truth and not libeling or slandering an opponent, all is fair in war and peace; a campaign is war. It is not for choir boys or the faint of heart. Further, there is a legal process for addressing libel and slander. Again, what legally happens on the campaign trail should left to the electorate to decide if it wants to hear it or not. Look as if there is an effort to sanitize the trail, make it politically correct, and speak for the electorate, for it is not bright enough and weak to think for itself. I do not like the politics of personal destruction but if a party or candidate is telling the truth and not libeling or slandering, let things rip. Again, the electorate will decide if it wants and likes this style of campaigning. It will send the answer at the polls. If the intent to control truth, non libelous or non slanderous campaign, why not just accept applications and let the electorate vote.
Think the Governor’s Office is wading in too deep into the campaign waters. I plead ignorance on local election. As such, is election a local or a crown responsibility? Regardless of whom is responsible, the following is appropriate:”Meanwhile, other prohibited pactises include bribery, violence and intimination, and preventing local media from accessing public political meetings, demonstrations, and rallies.” Moreover, Will politicians be held liable for speech in the HOA. Is this whole charade a solution looking for a problem? Politics is a different animal to law, religion, medicine, engineering……etc.
Would love to see that code in practice in the US
Oh Boy what will they talk about now. This has just cut their talking time in half. Meetings should be shorter now.
We see right through that smoke and mirror roadblock. Its all about control for the benefit of Europeans like everything else that we fall for.This game is sickening we are tired of babysitting special needs.
This is too weaken the political Jargon against the Government. When is the Governor going to get up and do his job and make them bring a code of ethics for members of house of assembly.
It is alleged you have ministers with extra marital affairs and ch.. out of wedlock. This stuff can never be in the UK or United States.
Not to mention have these people reveal their ownership in all companies yet and declare their assets. Why are they then bringing a code of ethics when running but none in the house of assembly.
This is the most ridiculous post. You want a code governing or over reaching into persons private lives??!!! Is this a world standard?? Only in the BVI do we think of such bull baloney. Guess what partner, we are all humans. And believe it or not we fail and are imperfect. So write a Code on that!
Law Makers are the biggest Law Breakers!!!