NLA chairman urges clarification of EC rules

Mechai

He said the EC should amend the rules if it found them hard to implement. If the commission insisted the rules were practical, however, it should be clear which particular actions can be delivered and which are against the law.

Otherwise, the rules would violate the public's freedom of expression, he said.

The EC approved campaigning rules on Thursday to oblige all political parties to follow its "road map" to make the election fair and equal. It claims the rules will reduce the influence of money politics.

The commission permits campaign billboards and posters to be set up only in spots it has designated. It has the power to rule on the size of posters. The EC will also prescribe airtime on television and radio for all parties.

Candidates are only allowed to use cars to advertise campaign messages and are banned from converting vehicles into a platform for making campaign speeches in front of a rally.

The Nation