III. Comments on the Text on the Draft Electoral Law 

H. Election campaign

As noted above, the amendments to Articles 74.4 and 74.11 do not fully address the recommendation for stronger institutional mechanisms for dealing with the abuse of state resources during elections and holding accountable those responsible. Publication of a warning on TV and radio and prohibiting state authorities from being involved in election campaigns is only a first step. Article 74.8 of the draft electoral law prohibits the use of candidates, political parties, and campaign messages, including their names, images, and symbols, in “commercial and social advertising”. This amendment expands Article 74.8, which already prohibited “placing political advertisements in the same bloc with commercial or social advertisements”. It remains to be seen what effect this amendment will have in future elections.