Congress of the People (Cope) deputy president Mbhazima Shilowa said on Saturday his party was preparing rules for electioneering ahead of its congress in mid-June.

"In any congress there will be people who will want to express their desire for positions," said Shilowa.

However, he said, rules would have to be in place to protect the health of the party.

"There will be an organisation beyond the congress... you cannot allow questions of leadership to consume you to the detriment of the organisation."

He said Cope was a "democracy" and rules would not be about prohibiting candidates from campaigning.

"Its about creating rules for everyone to follow."

Shilowa declined to speak about specific items on their agenda as he left the meeting early to attend the funeral of a Cope activist.

The party's National Committee was meeting in Johannesburg on Saturday.