The four candidates set to contest the two St Andrew seats in the October 30 by-elections yesterday affirmed their commitment to good governance and to fair campaigning by signing the Agreement and Declaration on Political Conduct at the Political Ombudsman's Duke Street office.
The People's National Party's (PNP) Mark Golding signed, along with his campaign manager Peter Thelwell, while his challenger for the St Andrew Southern seat, the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Dane Dennis and his campaign manager, Winston Ennis, affixed their signatures.
The PNP's candidate for the St Andrew South Western seat, Dr Angela Brown Burke, was joined by her campaign manager, Seya Wilson, in signing. Brown Burke will be going up against Victor Hyde, who signed, along with his campaign manager, Sana Simmons.
According to the first principle outlined in the joint agreement and declaration, the nation's political parties must affirm their belief in the sanctity of human life and abhor taking human life or the violation of the person of anyone because of that person's political allegiance.
Other principles speak to the rejection of violence, commitment to non-violent relations between parties, and the recognition of and respect for the rights of each party.
Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown implored the four candidates "to live up to the letter and spirit of this code, enjoy your campaigns, and please make your families, your constituency, Jamaica, and political parties proud" and offered her assistance "where problems arise".
PNP's General Secretary Julian Robinson and deputy mayor for Kingston and St Andrew Ennis, of the JLP pledged their parties' commitment to upholding the political code of conduct.
The JLP's Dr Norman Dunn and the PNP's Dr Shane Alexis, who are vying to represent the St Mary South East constituency, were slated to sign the code later yesterday at the St Theresa's Catholic Church, Main Street, in Annotto Bay.