Party leaders took turns pledging to respect the code of conduct during an event held at the Gallagher Estate in the Johannesburg suburb of Midrand on Wednesday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the ruling African National Congress (ANC)’s leader, said his party was committed to upholding and promoting the code of conduct.
“We are bound, as we are gathered here, by responsibility that the will of the people shall prevail by appending our signatures,” he said.
Opposition Cope leader Mouisoa Lekota said the party signed the code of conduct in order to endorse its support for South Africa’s democracy.
During the ceremony, IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo revealed that the election will see 48 political parties contest the election.
“We are a third of the way into the election timetable and just 49 days remain before South Africans vote in our country’s sixth national and provincial democratic elections,” he said.
Addressing delegates, IEC chairperson Glen Mashinini said the assurance of a free and fair election was the responsibility of every South African and not just the commission.