Adopted on 20 July 2015, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa 10 CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SADC ELECTION OBSERVERS 10.1 The Code of Conduct for the election observers of SADC is consistent with those of the OAU/AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa AHG/DECL. 1 (XXXVIII). The SADC Electoral Observation Missions shall, therefore, at all times, adhere to the following Code of Conduct: 10.1.1 Comply with all national laws and regulations; 10.1.2 Maintain personal discipline and behaviour that is beyond reproach; 10.1.3 Maintain strict impartiality in the conduct of their duties, and shall at no time express any bias or preference in relation to national authorities, parties and candidates in contention in the Electoral process. Furthermore they will not display or wear any partisan symbols, colours or banners; 10.1.4 Neither accept nor attempt to procure any gifts, favours or inducements from a candidate, their agent, the parties or any other organisation or person involved in the electoral process; 10.1.5 Disclose to the relevant SADC structures any relationship that could lead to a conflict of interest with their duties or with the process of the observation and assessment of the elections, as soon as the observer becomes aware of such conflict; 10.1.6 Base all reports and conclusions on well documented, factual, and verifiable evidence from a multiple number of credible sources as well as their own eye witness accounts; 10.1.7 Seek a response from the person or organisation concerned before treating any unsubstantiated allegation as valid; 10.1.8 Identify, in their reports, the exact information and the sources of the information they have gathered and used as a basis for their assessment of the electoral process or environment; 10.1.9 Report all information gathered or witnessed by them honestly and accurately; 10.1.10 When meeting election officials, relevant state authorities and public officials, parties, candidates and their agents, inform them of the aims and objectives of the SEOMs; 10.1.11 Carry any prescribed identification issued at all times, and will identify themselves to any interested authority upon request; - 12 -