With preparations for the DA’s 2026 federal congress in full swing, campaigning is also well underway. In the DA, candidates vying to lead the party run highly organised campaigns through their managers, who set up call centres and spend heavily on airtime to reach the more than 2 000 delegates expected to participate in the party’s elective congress in April.
Campaigns also include printing and distributing branded T-shirts to supporters, highlighting the resources poured into persuading delegates. Yet, while the contest for the federal council chair position and its three deputies is decided by just over 200 federal council members on the morning of the conference, the stakes are enormous. These roles wield significant influence over the party’s direction, making them highly coveted despite the small electorate.
Amid this intense contest, the DA has made clear that government resources may not be used to advance personal campaigns.
A document seen by Sunday World of the party’s official standards of conduct for internal elections shows that any attempt to leverage state-funded offices, personnel, or communication channels for campaign purposes is strictly prohibited.
The guidelines cover a wide range of resources, including social media accounts linked to the party, email systems, WhatsApp groups, and any state-funded personnel. Where resources are partially subsidised, candidates must demonstrate that all campaign-related use was at their personal expense.
According to the DA document, “No candidate may use party resources to advance his or her candidature or the candidature of any other member standing for election for any office.”
The rules extend to media engagement and internal party information. Candidates and their supporters may respond to queries about their campaigns but may not proactively seek publicity or comment on other candidates.
“Candidates, their supporters, and members of the party may not divulge internal party information related to the party’s finances, polling, staff, meetings, and other activity unless that information is declared, in writing, as public information by the relevant structure or office bearer,” the document states.
Anonymous publications or endorsements are strictly banned.
Official debates will be coordinated by the presiding officer or a nominee of the federal council, with at least one debate held entirely online. Attendance is limited to party members, while negative campaigning is prohibited.
Discriminatory or false claims are strictly forbidden.
The DA’s strict approach comes amid concerns that some candidates could blur the line between official duties and internal campaigns.
By reinforcing these rules, the party aims to safeguard its integrity and public image as it heads into the 2026 local government elections.
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