In a development that may lead to fairer and more peaceful elections (including local elections in 2011, at a date still to be determined), 14 political parties, including the RPT and UFC, signed a new electoral code of conduct in March, following months of negotiations overseen by the National Democratic Institute (a US-based non-governmental organisation) and the UN Development Programme. Although the code is not a legal document, it sets out guidelines for election campaigning drawn from international best practice, and will help to guide the formal review of election laws currently being undertaken by the government. However, the ANC and its FRAC allies did not take part in negotiations or sign the code.