III. Comments on the Text on the Draft Electoral Law 

H. Election campaign

The OSCE/ODIHR final report on the 2012 parliamentary elections provides a lengthy list of examples of the abuse of state resources in the elections. This list includes examples of: “the use of official events, meetings, or public works to promote the party or its candidates; the active participation of local or regional officials in candidate meetings during working hours; public workers being required to attend meetings with candidates; newspapers or websites of regional or local authorities containing materials in support of candidates or attacking the opposition; and planned rallies or meetings of opposing candidates being denied, cancelled or otherwise obstructed without a justifiable reason.”[1] This occurred despite the general requirement in Article 11 of the current electoral law that the election process provide for the “unbiased treatment of parties”.

[1] See OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report on the 28 October parliamentary elections, page 16.