The objective of the electoral campaigns of
candidates and political parties is to win voter support in the period
preceding an election. Candidates use a variety of techniques to reach voters, including
by communicating their message through the media. Access to the media may be
defined in electoral legislation to ensure that broadcasting time is allocated
fairly to parties and candidates. The release of public opinion poll findings
may also be controlled by law to prevent potential integrity problems and
ensure that voters receive the most balanced information possible.
The electoral calendar often sets
the dates for the official campaign. This is usually a period of around a month
leading up to election day. Actual campaigning may start much earlier, but special
benefits or freedoms are available to political parties and candidates only
during the period specified in the electoral calendar. (For example, they are
assured of access to the media during the official campaign period only.) Perceived integrity problems are often
created by early commencement of campaign activities, but often these are not
prohibited per se.[1]
Election campaigns are
increasingly expensive. The need to collect large sums of money raises serious
integrity concerns. The sources of these funds, the amounts that may be
accepted and the lack of equal resources present potential threats to electoral
integrity. To ensure honest campaigns, most countries have adopted campaign
financing rules that limit allowed contributions and spending, and require
political parties and candidates to publicly disclose the sources of their
funding as well as the nature and amount of their spending.
For legal provisions to be
effective, campaign financing enforcement is also necessary. Most electoral
systems try to minimize the influence of political contributions and some make public
funds available for campaigning. Public funding acts as a counterbalance to private
political financing, and provides considerable assistance to parties and
candidates for meeting their campaign expenses. Public funding may also
increase voter confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.[2]
Access to information on
political financing, including campaign contributions and expenses, must be specified
in legislation. These measures are essential for protecting integrity since
they promote transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
[1] See,
e.g., OSCE/ODIHR, Republic of Armenia,
Parliamentary Elections, 12 May 2007, OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission
Report, (Warsaw,
10 September 2007), p. 9.
[2] Birch, Sarah, “Explaining Confidence in the Conduct of
Elections,” paper presented to the Public Opinion and Political Parties
Conference, University of Essex, U.K., September 9–11, 2005
