L. Election campaign provisions

Freedom of expression constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society and one of the basic conditions for genuine democratic elections. Article 49 and other articles of the draft include some provisions which are in line with the goal to ensure freedom of expression during electoral debates. However, the blanket prohibition to comment on speeches of candidates, leaders or representatives of political parties (Article 49(5)) is an unjustified limitation of the freedom of expression and is also contrary to the logic of electoral debates. The goal of the electoral debates is exactly the fight of ideas and concepts, during which the candidates try to convince voters to accept their ideas and to reject the ideas promoted by other contenders.