The electoral competitors and the mass media are invited by the Central Election Commission to sign the Code of Conduct concerning the conduct and coverage of the campaign prior to the October 30 presidential elections. This is a convention signed by candidates and the mass media with the aim of preventing cases of harming of the dignity and image of election runners.
The Code is intended to ensure a fair election campaign, in equal competition conditions, and also the objective informing of voters about the election processes. It is also designed to ensure free political participation in the election campaign, respect for the dignity of the campaign participants and creation of a climate of confidence and mutual respect between signatories in the election campaign.
The signatories are to correctly and objectively inform the voters about the political platforms of election runners and to ensure the principle of equality of chances, including gender equality and respect for the equality of persons with special needs, if necessary. These are to avoid intimidating and obstructing the free expression of the vote and any form of voter corruption.
The norms of conduct defined in the Code are a moral obligation for the signatories involved in the election campaign. The Code takes effect for each of the signatories when it is signed and is valid until the final election outcome is validated by the competent bodies.
If the signatories violate the Code, the Central Election Commission, when it is notified by at least ¼ of the signatories, will invite the representatives of the signatories to debates. It will make public the violations committed by the signatories to show its disapproval of the deviant behavior.
The document can be signed in office 308 of the Central Election Commission, based at 119 V. Alecsandri St in Chisinau, until September 30.
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The IPN series “I want to know ABOUT ELECTIONS” is designed to explain notions, terms and practices related to the presidential election process.
