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MEDIA RELEASE - April 5th, 2025

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STATEMENT ON THE COUNCIL'S DELIBERATION

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With 161 candidates now having been formally nominated to contest the General Elections scheduled for April 28, 2025, the Council for Responsible Political Behaviour calls on all Political Parties, candidates and supporters to abide by the Code of Ethical Political Conduct. The Council notes that although the Code has been in existence for over ten (10) years, many citizens and politicians remain unaware of its content. To this end, the Council has embarked upon a public education drive about the Code of Ethical Political Conduct. The Founding Organizations which drafted the Code have taken up the challenge to make the Code known to their members. Thus, over the weekend of April 4, 2025, the newsletters of both the Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church will publish the Code in its entirety. The national print media is also expected to publish the Code during the week of April 7, 2025. Bearing in mind that the primary goal of the Code is to ensure that all stakeholders in the election maintain the highest moral principles and ethical standards with respect to their conduct during the campaign, the Code presents guidelines as to what is acceptable campaigning and what may be deemed prohibited conduct.

 

With regard to the Council monitoring of the 2025 campaign, as previously stated, the Council does not have the capacity to monitor all aspects of social media and thus depends on citizens to share with the Council such information which may be in violation of the Code, but also which may indicate adherence to the Code. From this perspective we have noted that there have been many instances so far whereby candidates and supporters of differing parties are seen embracing and wishing each other well, embodying the spirit of the true Trinbagonain aspirations and goals of unity and togetherness. At the same time, we note that there have been instances of misrepresentation, smear campaigns, mudslinging and even character assassination, all of which are deemed prohibited and must be rebuked. We again call on all members of the public to collaborate with the Council by submitting reports either through a message to WhatsApp 793 4505 or via email to info@politicalethicstt.org.

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As the election campaign is expected to intensify as we move closer to polling day, the

Council would once again remind all Political parties, Candidates and supporters to ensure

that whilst campaigning, they:

  • Not make false or defamatory allegations in print or speech in connection with an election in respect of a Party, its Candidates, representatives or members

  • Not seek to assassinate the character of or make defamatory comments about any individual, family, professional group or section of the community.

  • Not abuse a position of power, privilege or influence, including parental, patriarchal, traditional or employment authority to influence the conduct or outcome of an election.

  • Not permit the use and abuse of State resources for political campaigns.

  • Not indulge in negative campaigning or advertising or any action which would bring the political process into disrepute.

  • Not criticize aspects of the private lives of Candidates, their families, not connected with the public activities of the leaders or Candidates of other Parties.

  • Not issue advertisements or other marketing material the cost of which is borne out of public funds.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Council,

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Leela Ramdeen,

Secretary

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