In the period of time beginning form 15th day before the polling day up to the day ending the election campaign "the Polish Television Joint-stock Company" and "the Polish Radio Joint stock Company" hereinafter called "Polish Television" and "Polish Radio", shall broadcast on nation-wide channels cost-free election programmes, prepared by election committees, pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
The total time of cost-free broadcast shall amount to 25 hours for Polish Television, including up to 5 hours for TV Polonia and 35 hours for Polish Radio, including 5 hours broadcast devoted for listeners abroad.
The "cost-free broadcast" of election campaigning shall include both registering and broadcasting of the presentations of the representatives of committees or candidates for the post of the President of the Republic, as well as recording and broadcasting of election materials prepared by committees.
The National Council of Radio and Television shall, in agreement with the National Electoral Commission, determine, in a regulation, the principles of procedure in allotment of cost-free time of broadcasting election programmes, methods of their preparation and broadcast, as well as methods of publishing information on time-table of broadcasting such programmes.
The National Council of Radio and Television shall, after seeking opinion of the boards of the companies referred to in paragraph 1, and the respective council of programme, determine:
the total length of time of cost-free broadcasting in each of the nation-wide channels;
the schedule of time allocation, referred to in paragraph 2, in the period of time between 15th day before the polling day up to the day ending the election campaign.
Editors in chief of the respective nation-wide television channels including Television Polonia, as well as editors in chief of Polish Radio, shall determine the sequence of each day broadcasting of election programmes by drawing lots in presence of election agents, no later than on 18th day before the polling day.
The broadcasting time limit assigned to the respective election committee cannot be transferred to another committee. Polish Television as well as Polish Radio shall not interfere with the intent and time of committee programmes if there is no respective final court’s ruling.
The decision on allotment of time assigned for election committees shall be subject to lodging a complaint by an election agent to the National Electoral Commission. The complaint shall be lodged no later than within 24 hours after issue of the decision. The National Electoral Commission shall examine immediately the complaint and shall issue a decision. There shall be no legal recourse against the decision of the National Electoral Commission.
In the event the repeat voting referred to in Article 8b has been ordered, within the period of time beginning form 9th day before the polling day up to the day ending the election campaign preceding the repeat voting, Polish Television and Polish Radio shall broadcast cost-free election programmes, prepared by election committees of each of the two candidates, and their total time shall amount to 6 hours for Polish Television and 8 hours for Polish Radio. The provisions of paragraphs 3 to 8 shall be applied respectively, provided that drawing lots to select the sequence of broadcasting the daily election programmes during each day shall be held on 10th day before the repeat voting.
