The Central Election Commission (CEC) approved the regulations concerning the covering of the election campaign prior to the snap parliamentary elections of July 11 by the media. The Audiovisual Council’s proposal to introduce a new point that will enable it to notify of violations of the rights and legitimate interests of the persons residing in the Republic of Moldova, in electoral matters, by media service providers outside Moldova’s jurisdiction was added to the regulations, IPN reports.

Another proposal of the Council, to organize electoral debates only during the election campaign, didn’t garner a sufficient number of votes. CEC secretary Maxim Lebedinschi said it is normal that electoral debates cannot be held outside the election campaign, but the regulations provide that the debates can start when at least two election contenders are registered as debates with one contender cannot be held.

Under the regulations, the media service providers offer by one minute of free airtime a day to the election runners. Electoral advertising cannot be included in news, sports, children’s and religious programs. The responsibility for the content of broadcast or published electoral adverts is borne by the electoral contender.

When organizing electoral debates, talk shows and other programs, the media service providers will make sure the principles of balance, impartiality, responsibility and pluralism of opinion in the speeches of election runners are ensured. The debates involve candidates or their representatives. The theme of the electoral debate is decided by the media service provider and is announced when the candidates are invited to the debate.

The media service providers will cover the election campaign so that it becomes accessible also to persons with visual and hearing impairments.

On the day prior to elections and on the election day, campaigning is banned. On these days, the media outlets do not have the right to broadcast/publish information that can influence the electors to vote for particular election runners. This ban does not refer to information posted on the Internet by Friday before the election day.