Home > 2.9 Electoral offences and sanctions > MOLDOVA- Joint Opinion on the Electoral Code
 
 
 
Download file    
 
 
Paragraph 81
 

The problem of negative campaigning has been highlighted in the 2005 parliamentary elections as very problematic, as well as addressed inconsistently.[25] The adoption of a code of conduct could be a mechanism to counter negative campaigning. It will be up to the parties and media representatives to find a balance between freedom of expression and the right to dignity and reputation of electoral competitors. Moreover, it will be up to the ensuing practice, to assess how the CEC will value such a code of conduct and possible violations of its commitments. In other words, as long as it will be used as guidelines for the media coverage, there should be no problem. If it were to be considered as legally binding for the signatories, and used as a reference to apply sanctions, then the constitutional freedom of expression would be challenged.