Political parties sign IEC pledge
Thirteen political parties represented in Parliament have pledged to abide by the rules of the electoral code of conduct.
This ahead of the country's Local Government Elections in August.
Jacob Zuma has signed on behalf of the ANC.
''The ANC also reaffirms its commitment to political tolerance, peaceful co-existence with other parties as well free political activity throughout our country. We look forward to a robust and peaceful electioneering period at equal level and successful elections on August 3,'' Zuma said.
The DA's Mmusi Maimane has called on the IEC to ensure the poll is free and fair.
"And yet I urge South Africans that we must take an earnest view at what will be a closely contested election - a robust one - and I invite the international community to make sure that we monitor these elections and ensure that they are free and fair. Ultimately, it will always be the will of the people not the will of the food parcels but the will of the people to ensure that they choose the government of their making," Maimane said.
COPE's Mosioua Lekota Cope has urged voters to make an informed decision.
"Unless citizens do not respect each others' right to campaign to listen to everybody and then ultimately make their choice. Then voting loses its meaning. It is for this reason that we will encourage both competitors and our own members to listen to each other and learn and therefore make a choice that will ultimately make South Africa a greater, better, united country," Lekota said.
Signing the pledge for the Freedom Front Plus, the party's Pieter Mulder called on South Africans be tolerant of one another.
"South Africa has got all these differences one country - religious, ethnic, wealth, racial and many more. History teaches us that one spark can set off a huge fire in dry grass. Currently, the sparks of racism are being thrown into dry grass everywhere. The problem is that the majority of these comments generalise," Mulder said.
The African Christian Democratic Party's Kenneth Meshoe has promised that his party will promote peace.
"We will use language that is acceptable, that promotes unity and tolerance. I want to make a plea to the Electoral Commission that as we are going to contest elections the plea must ensure that the playing field is level," Meshoe said.
(File photo)