PREAMBLE

PURSUANT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, THE PEOPLE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Have affirmed that the Nation of Trinidad and Tobago is founded upon:

Principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God,
Faith in fundamental human rights and freedoms,
The centrality of the family in a society of free men and women, and free institutions,
The dignity of the human person, and
The equal and inalienable rights with which all members of the human family are endowed by their Creator;

Have affirmed their respect for the principles of social justice and therefore believe that:

The operation of the economic system should result in the material resources of the community being so distributed as to subserve the common good,
There should be adequate means of livelihood for all,
Labour should not be exploited or forced by economic necessity to operate in inhumane conditions but that there should be opportunity for advancement on the basis of recognition of merit, ability and integrity;

Have asserted their belief in a democratic society in which:

All persons may, to the extent of their capacity, play some part in the institutions of the national life and thus develop and maintain due respect for lawfully constituted authority,
Freedom is founded upon respect for moral, ethical and spiritual values and the rule of law, and
Provision is made for ensuring the protection in Trinidad and Tobago of fundamental human rights and freedoms;

Have asserted that forgiveness and reconciliation are integral to nation building:

The principles and beliefs enshrined in our constitution are best protected through the democratic process underpinned by fairness, the rule of law, freedom to express divergent opinions, equality of access to opportunities and through adherence to constitutional provisions that stipulate the rights and responsibilities of the citizen,
It is the desire of the undersigned persons drawn from civil society organizations throughout Trinidad and Tobago including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Community Based Organizations (CBO), Media Houses, Trade Unions, Business Organizations and Religious Organizations (collectively the ‘Civil Society Organizations’), to encourage Political Parties to endorse the principles and codes set out in the Code of Ethical Political Conduct for the common good of the People and in the national interest of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago,
The Political Parties and their Candidates who are signatories hereto (respectively the ‘Parties’ and ‘Candidates’) have agreed to pledge themselves to the Code of Ethical Political Conduct which follows:

NOW THEREFORE it is hereby agreed and declared by the Parties, Coalitions and their Candidates as follows:

OBJECTIVES

This Code of Political Conduct (this ‘Code’) is intended to achieve the following objectives:

Fostering of democracy through peaceful, free and fair elections conducted at regular intervals in which voters are permitted to cast their ballots freely, without interference, fear, intimidation or bribery.
Promotion of respect for human rights, the pursuit of civil and political liberties, the tolerance of divergent opinions, full and active participation of all in the political process.
Encouraging participation in the electoral process by the People and to uphold their right to make political choices.
Promoting an election process free from violence.