Media and Elections

Moldova, Republic of

ME037

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Comments:	Article 69. General Principles of Media Coverage of Elections (1) Broadcasters, within all their programmes, and printed Media founded by public authorities are required to observe the principles of fairness, accountability, balance and impartiality while covering the elections. (2) Broadcasters and printed Media are required to provide equal, non-discriminatory conditions while granting airtime or advertisement space for electoral advertising. (3) Public broadcasters shall allocate free airtime to electoral competitors in a fair and non-discriminatory manner, based on objective and transparent principles. (4) Media service providers shall not adopt privileged treatment towards electoral competitors due to their social status and/or the positions held by their candidates.
Source:	Electoral Code of The Republic of Moldova 2019, article 69: 1-3 Audiovisual Code of the Republic of Moldova, art. 7:2.
Verified:	2019/02/18

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ME059

Television debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	b. Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:	They are normally conducted also in local elections, referendums. Article 70 (3) During the electoral campaign for parliamentary elections within the national constituency, presidential elections and republican referenda, the national broadcasters shall be required, whereas the local/ regional ones shall be entitled to organise public debates. During the electoral campaign for parliamentary elections within Single Member Constituencies, general local elections and local referenda, the local/regional broadcasters shall be required, whereas the national ones shall be entitled to organise electoral debates. The broadcasters shall define the format, length and the frequency of electoral debates, being made known to the electoral bodies and to the candidates at least 3 calendar days before each live broadcast. (4) During the electoral campaign for parliamentary elections, presidential elections and republican referenda, the national broadcasters, which list is made public by the Audiovisual Coordinating Council, within the first 3 days of the electoral period, shall provide, free-of-charge, 5 minutes of TV airtime and 10 minutes of radio airtime to the candidates to present their electoral programmes and to inform the voters. The respective airtime is granted apart from the airspace allotted for electoral advertising and debates.
Source:	Electoral Code of the Republic of Moldova 2019, article 70: 3-4.
Verified:	2019/02/18

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ME062

Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	c. 4-5 days
Comments:	Article 70 (10) During the electoral period, any opinion polls on voters’ political preferences shall be conducted only if the Central Electoral Commission was notified about this in advance. The results of such polls shall be made public no later than 5 days before the Election Day. On Election Day, prior to the closure of all polling stations, the Media shall not make public materials, including interviews with voters, the number of votes received by candidates during the day, and their chances of winning, including the results of exit polls.
Source:	Electoral Code of The Republic of Moldova 2019, article 70:10.
Verified:	2019/02/18

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ME080

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:	However there might be other restrictions, such as allocation of the broadcast time equally among candidates.
Source:	Electoral Code of The Republic of Moldova 2019, article 70
Verified:	2019/02/18

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