PRE-ELECTORAL PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN STARTS OFFICIALLY ON APRIL 8
Noyan Tapan
Apr 09 2007
YEREVAN, APRIL 9, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 8, the pre-electoral campaign
of candidates for deputacy and political forces participating by the
majoritarian and proportional electoral systems in the parliamentary
elections on May 12 started officially.
According to the Electoral Code, the pre-electoral propaganda
campaign may be conducted through the mass media, by organizing public
pre-electoral events – pre-electoral meetings and meeting with voters,
public discussions, debates, rallies, processions, demonstrations,
as well as by publishing printed materials and demonstrating recorded
programs.
Funds of pre-electoral foundations only may be used for conducting
the pre-electoral propaganda campaign. The candidate and the party
or bloc have the right to spend sums not exceeding 5 mln drams (about
14 thousand USD) and 60 mln drams respectively.
During the pre-eelctoral campaign, candidates are forbidden to give
(promise) money, food, securities, goods or provide (promise) services
to citizens by person or in some other way.
With the aim of organizing meetings with voters and other
elections-related events, halls and other facilities are provided to
candidates and parties participating in elections on equal bases –
free of charge.
The parties and the bloc participating in the elections have the right
to use paid and free public radio and TV time on equal conditions – by
the order and schedule determined by the Central Electoral Commission –
from April 10 to May 10. The candidates and political forces may also
use time of private radio and television companies on the paid basis.
By the way, according to the latest amendments to the RA Electoral
Code, "reporters, members of the editorial staff of the public radio
and public television, other radio and TV companies, who are registered
as candidates, are forbidden to cover elections and present radio
and television programs."
The deadline of the propaganda campaign is May 10, 12 pm.