The Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) has stated that judicial employees cannot participate in political activities.
In a press release, the DJA responded to reports that the new Code of Conduct allows judicial employees to participate in political activities. It stated that judicial employees must refrain from engaging in political activities and clarified that the repealed section of the Code of Conduct did not prohibit employees from being a member of a political party or voting in internal party elections. It stated that they are still prohibited from engaging in any activity that may undermine the impartiality of the judiciary, including political activities and other social activities.
Additionally, the DJA stated that new Code of Conduct aims to maintain public confidence and respect for the judiciary and address the concerns that emerged following the implementation of the initial rules in 2011. It added that judicial employees were never prohibited from becoming a member of a political party, voting in party elections and taking relatives to polling stations.