Electoral agitation in the social media should be regulated, but without limiting the right to free expression, Iurie Ciocan, a member of the Central Election Commission, stated in the meeting of the Parliament’s commission for appointments and immunities, IPN reports.
Democratic MP Sergiu Sârbu said the Internet ranks second by popularity among information sources according to polls and this fact should be taken into account. “We do not speak about bans, but about clear regulations that would ensure the integrity of the electoral process and the respect for the electoral rights of our citizens,” he stated.
Pavel Postica, programs director at Promo-LEX Association, said that when the legal framework on electoral legislation or the invalidation of election sis amended, the Commission should take several preconditions into account. It is important not to forget that the procedural power in the case of the invalidation of the Chișinău mayoral elections was abused when the violation was ascertained within a civil case, not within a contravention case. The powers should be clearly stipulated here. Another precondition refers to the classing of videos broadcast live on a social networking site on the election day, by which the people are urged to vote, as electoral agitation.
According to Pavel Postica, the taking of action by the courts of laws themselves is another precondition as the Constitutional Court clearly said that an application should exist. In the case of the mayoral elections held in the capital city, no application to invalidate the elections was actually filed. Not banning campaigning on the election day, except for polling places and areas nearby, can be a solution for ensuring equal conditions for all the election runners.
Socialist MP Vasile Bolea suggested creating a parliamentary sub-commission that after each election, in concert with the electoral authority, would examine the experience, irregularities and difficulties witnessed during voting so as to later suggest amendments to the electoral legislation to prevent the political players from committing violations.
The discussions in the commission for appointments and immunities will continue. The MPs will analyze the stated opinions so as to formulate proposals for improving the electoral legislation.
