Election Campaigning
It is the process through which Political Parties and candidates popularize themselves after they have been cleared by the IEBC to contest in an election.
It entails:
- Holding meetings and rallies.
- Organizing meet-the-people tours.
- Conducting road shows.
- Distributing campaign materials.
- Using the media to reach out to potential voters.
Regulations governing election campaigns
- A political party must be duly registered.
- The candidate must have been cleared by IEBC.
- The candidate must have a campaign bank account.
- A candidate must have a program of his/her campaign (campaign schedule).
- The political party must have the national program of event.
- Parties and candidates must notify security agencies of their programs in advance.
- Campaigners must respect property and other campaign materials for other candidates or political parties.
- Use of appropriate language.
- Avoidance of hate speech.
- Importance of election campaigns
- Promotes voter education.
- Enhances voter turnout.
- Evaluates leadership qualities of the candidates.
- Provide adequate information to make the right choice.
- Assists voters in knowing and identifying the candidates.
- Enables voters to understand party manifesto.
- Enhances voters understanding of the political, social and economic issues in their environment.
Electoral Code of Conduct during campaigns
All candidates for elective positions must adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct.
These include:
- Publicly and repeatedly condemn violence and intimidation.
- Avoid use of abusive and intimidating or provocative language.
- Ensure that no arms or weapons of any kind are carried or displayed at any political function.
- Refrain from publishing or printing falsehoods.
- Avoid defamatory or inflammatory allegations concerning any person or party connected with the elections.
- Co-operate and liaise with other parties and candidates to avoid clashing programs for campaigns.
- Cooperate with other stakeholders in the dissemination of voter education.
- Avoid plagiarism of other party or independent candidates’ symbols, colors or acronyms.
- Prevent the removal, disfigurement or destruction of political campaign materials of any party.
- Avoid undue influence of voters, family, lineage, and/or other candidates
- Refrain from abuse of position of power, privilege and influence.
- Avoid any discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, class, gender, disability or religion in connection with the election and political activity
