Now that the rules of engagement have been announced by the Independent Electoral Commission we hope that political parties will comply with them. Yesterday the IEC laid down the law and said it is prepared to exercise its powers through our courts.The IEC said that, if any person or party contravenes any provision of the electoral code of conduct it will prosecute. A court could, in the interests of free and fair elections, impose, among other things, a fine of R200 000, and prohibit that person or party from holding a public meeting, demonstrating, marching or convening any other political event, or entering a voting district.The IEC has also threatened parties with fines or imprisonment of up to five years for defacing or unlawfully removing billboards, posters or placards displayed by a registered party.These rules give the IEC the teeth it needs to do its job but it is the monitoring of the rules that will be the big challenge.It is in the nature of political parties to push the envelope before and during the elections to try to gain advantage over their rivals, so it is important that the public assist the IEC in making our elections credible.The ruling ANC has been accused of using "dirty tricks", including abusing state resources to buy votes. We have seen food parcels being dished out to communities ahead of elections. We have also seen government projects being linked to election campaigns.We encourage robust debate from all political parties, but dirty tricks should be exposed and stopped. It does not help our nation when real debate takes a back seat and leaders rely on misinformation and other trickery to win votes.Issues that affect the nation must take centre stage.The coming local elections should focus more on how to improve communities and less on individual politicians...