New rules in Romania for the electoral campaign. Here is what was officially established by the Central Electoral Bureau (BEC). There are rules that concern the electoral competitors, but also the way in which the campaign will take place in the audiovisual environment.
New rules in Romania for the electoral campaign. Here are the complete rules imposed by BEC
The electoral campaign for the European parliamentary and local elections, which will take place together on June 9, officially started today, May 10. It will last until June 8, at 07:00, while in the audiovisual medium it will end a day earlier, on June 7, at 07:00.
In this context, the Central Electoral Bureau’s recommendation for electoral competitors is to adopt a balanced and honest speech, avoiding distortion or manipulation of information. It is also prohibited to organize electoral campaign actions in military units, schools and universities during the course.
During the election campaign, the use of messages or slogans with discriminatory connotations, as well as the promotion of hatred and intolerance, is strictly prohibited. Likewise, any forms of defamation and incitement to religious or ethnic enmity are prohibited, BEC representatives say.
Electoral contestants are urged to develop their political discourses in a way that guarantees the respect and promotion of the principles of democracy and contributes to establishing a climate of integrity during electoral campaigns. This is important both in terms of respect for other competitors and voters.
The Central Electoral Bureau has issued a firm recommendation to the electoral competitors to respect the general rules regarding the conduct of the electoral campaign. They are urged to adopt a balanced, honest and constructive discourse, avoiding the distortion or manipulation of information, in order to prevent the spread of fake news, disinformation and any deviations that could affect the proper conduct of the electoral process.
Here are a series of rules that must be respected within the campaign
New rules in Romania for the electoral campaign. According to the legislation in force, during the electoral campaign, candidates, political parties, political alliances, electoral alliances or organizations of citizens who belong to national minorities and participate in elections, as well as citizens, have the right to freely express their opinions through various means, such as be rallies, public gatherings, television, radio, press and other means of mass communication.
Candidates are provided, without discrimination, with suitable spaces to meet with voters, which can be located in town halls, schools, universities, cultural centers, cultural hostels and cinemas, based on agreements on maintenance costs.
The use of means in the electoral campaign must comply with the legal provisions.
The law on local elections stipulates that the organization of election campaign actions in military units, as well as in the premises of schools and universities during the course, is prohibited.
The legislation regarding the European Parliament elections stipulates that in military units, in educational units during the school program, in the headquarters of diplomatic representations, as well as in penitentiaries, it is forbidden to carry out any type of electoral campaign.
Also, during the election campaign, the mayors must provide the candidates, without discrimination, adequate spaces to meet with the voters.
“Voters deserve to have access to objective, real and correct information in order to be able to form their own opinion and to decide in full knowledge of the case”, reports BEC.
What fines risk those who do not comply with the legislation
Committing the following acts constitute contraventions according to the Local Elections Law, and the fine can reach up to 4,500 lei:
- destruction,
- damage,
- soiling,
- covering by writing or in any other way electoral lists, displayed program platforms or any other printed electoral propaganda posters or announcements.
According to the European Parliament Elections Law, the same facts attract sanctions, but the fine can be between 1,000 and 2,500 lei.
How will the campaign for European and local parliamentarians take place on radio and television
New rules in Romania for the electoral campaign. Among the rules established by the National Broadcasting Council are the following:
- Programs dedicated to the electoral campaign broadcast by on-demand audiovisual media services must be accompanied, throughout the duration of the broadcast, by the mention “electoral promotion” or, as the case may be, “electoral debate”.
- The coverage of the election campaign must be done in a fair, balanced and impartial manner.
- People invited to the programs must specify their capacity, such as that of the candidate or their representative, and this information must be visible on the screen at the time of their intervention.
- Broadcasting of programs produced, produced or moderated by candidates or declared representatives of electoral competitors is not allowed, according to article 23 of the Decision of the National Broadcasting Council no. 320/2012 regarding the provision of on-demand audiovisual media services.
- Measures must be taken to ensure equality and pluralism of opinions in the programs in which candidates who hold public positions participate, strictly in matters related to the exercise of their positions.
There are also rules for presenters/moderators of shows
Also, audiovisual media service providers must ensure that the following conditions are respected within the electoral promotion programs, as well as in the content of the spots and other audiovisual materials made available to them by the electoral competitors:
- It must not incite hatred based on race, religion, nationality, gender or sexual orientation.
- It must not contain statements that may harm human dignity, the right to one’s image or that are contrary to good morals.
- It must not contain criminal or moral accusations against other candidates or electoral competitors, without being accompanied by relevant evidence presented explicitly.
There are also rules for producers, presenters and moderators of electoral debates. BEC sends them:
- Let them be impartial.
- To ensure the necessary balance in the running of the show, giving each participant in the discussions the opportunity to present their opinions.
- To ensure that the debate remains within the scope of electoral issues.
What is strictly prohibited when it comes to election spots
New rules in Romania for the electoral campaign. If the election spots are included in the promotional programs or electoral debates, the on-demand audiovisual media service providers must ensure that:
- The integrity and value of those programs are not affected.
- Electoral spots are explicitly assumed by electoral competitors, either through presentation or content.
- In the electoral promotion programs of an electoral competitor, spots of other competitors are not broadcast.
- Election spots are not considered commercial advertising under the law.
- During the electoral campaign, with the exception of electoral spots, it is forbidden to broadcast any forms of advertising that contain references to electoral competitors.
According to the CNA, candidates, political parties or organizations of citizens belonging to national minorities participating in elections, and whose legitimate rights or interests, in particular reputation and public image, have been affected by the presentation of inaccurate information in an on-demand audiovisual media service, they have the right to rectification.
48 hours before voting day, the following are prohibited:
- Presentation of opinion polls or broadcast of electoral advertising spots.
- Inviting or featuring candidates in programs or commentary related to the election campaign.
