The IFA executive council adopted the code of conduct for the 2016 elections at its meeting on Tuesday. The rules and recommendations will apply until the results of the elections are declared.

Rule seven of the code of conduct reads:

“Candidates and prospective candidates are prohibited from soliciting or accepting any funding or other benefits towards their campaigns, apart from the recoupment of vouched campaign expenses from the IFA.”

The new code of conduct also strongly discourages door-to-door canvassing within branches for all candidates running for the positions of president, deputy president and regional chairmen.

The preamble to the rules and recommendations states that they were introduced to allow the IFA’s ongoing work programme on behalf of farmers, which is “of the utmost importance”, to go undisturbed.

Other rules and recommendations

The code of conduct says that candidates and their supporters shall not do or say anything that would cause “dissension or undermine the effectiveness of the Association”. All press statements and other communications by candidates to the media must be cleared in advance with the national press office.

Divisive campaigning or public statements such as those on “big/small”, “drystock/milk farmers”, and “east/west” should be avoided, as well as derogatory statements or references to the IFA, its policies, and other candidates.

All media advertising is prohibited throughout the campaign and the IFA will arrange for a mail-out of candidates’ literature to all its members.

To avoid a potential conflict of interest, all candidates must also inform the national returning officer of “any significant business, trade, professional or occupational interest which they hold outside of farming”.

Finally, candidates are reminded that their candidacy must not be endorsed or supported by politicians or political parties.

Read more

Full coverage: IFA elections 2016