65 Reissue January 2014 Code of Conduct for contesting Political Parties and Candidates during periods of Elections This Code of the Conduct has been issued in terms of Section 8(8) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981as amended by Act No. 58 of 2009. The code is applicable during a period commencing from the date of notice of nomination and ending on the announcement of the result of that election. Before the enactment of laws regarding recognition of political parties, there were political parties which were recognized by the society dating back to 1931. Laws regarding recognition of political parties have been amended at different times from 1959. Political parties have a greater responsibility in making the role of the parties more productive and realistic in the advancement of the contemporary society as rules and regulations can do in this regard is minimal. The code of conduct for political parties and candidates was issued for the first time by the Department of Elections with the Provincial Councils Elections held in 2012 in mind taking into consideration the responsibility referred to above. In Sri Lanka non-party candidates are nominated as independent groups at elections and this Code of Conduct applies to candidates of independent groups also. Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka