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total countries/territories: 229
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| Country/Territory |
Answers |
Comments |
Verified |
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Afghanistan
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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To raise public awareness, Public Media (TV, radio and print media) are to fairly and impartially broadcast and publish candidates' platforms, comments, and objectives during electoral campaigns.
No one is to use public possessions and property during electoral campaigns unless an authorized authority provides equal facilities to all candidates.
The state-run media shall provide limited opportunities for broadcasting the advertising messages of candidates free of cost considering the schedule prepared by the Commission.
The state-run media shall provide limited conditions for broadcasting and advertising messages of candidates at no cost considering the schedule prepared by the Commission.
Source:
Afghan Regulation on Media Activites During Elections, art. 1-3: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/AF/afghanistan-regulation-on-media-activities-during/view (2014).
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2019/09/24
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Albania
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c. Based on result of previous election
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Electoral Code: Art 80: 1.During the electoral campaign, the Public Radio and Television provides to registered political parties and to the CEC free airtime for campaigning, which is allocated according to the following rules:
a) a total of two hours is provided to the CEC according to the time slots it requests. At least two-thirds of this time shall be between 18:00 and 22:00;
b) for parliamentary parties that received more than 20 per cent of the seats in the last elections to the Assembly, the CEC allocates equal airtime of no less than 30 minutes on the Public Television and the same airtime on the Public Radio; for the rest of the parliamentary parties, this airtime is no less than 15 minutes. If airtime is increased for one party or one respective coalition, the time allotted to another party or coalition shall be proportionally increased;
c) each party that does not hold a seat in the Assembly, but runs in elections is allocated 10 minutes of airtime on the Public Television and 10 minutes of airtime on the Public Radio;
ç) the respective electoral subject must be clearly identifiable on any political programme or advertisement for purposes of electoral propaganda. If the political programme or advertisement is not clearly identifiable, the CEC orders the immediate suspension of its broadcast until the subject is rendered identifiable according to the requirements in this point.
Source:
The Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania, dated 2 April 2015, art. 80
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2017/05/19
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Algeria
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
e. As agreed by special committee
g. Other (specify)
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All presidential candidates are given equal access to media. Political parties participating in local and legislative elections are given access to the media according to the number of candidates they present.
Source:
Electoral law (Loi organique n° 12-01 du 18 Safar 1433 correspondant au 12 janvier 2012 relative au régime électoral), art. 180, 191: https://www.joradp.dz/hfr/consti.htm
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2019/09/25
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American Samoa
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h. No information available
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There are no political parties on American Samoa
Source:
Information collected at PIANZEA workshop in December 2006.
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2017/08/18
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Andorra
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
g. Other (specify)
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Allocation of free airtime in the only national public broadcaster is obliged to give equal to all parties. During the last campaign, the allocation of free airtime was done through a public lottery, and no paid extra time was given to any candidate.
Source:
Electoral law: 28/2007 - "Llei qualificada del règim electoral i del referèndum", art. 31: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/AD/andorra-electoral-law-2007/ ;
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, "OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report: Principality of Andorra 2015", p. 7: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/AD/andorra-needs-assessment-mission-report/
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2023/06/09
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Angola
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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Free airtime on public radio and television is equally allocated amongst all political parties participating in elections.
Source:
Electoral Law n.º 36/11 of 21 December 2011 regulating General Elections, art. 73, 76: http://www.tribunalconstitucional.ao/uploads/%7Bc46fa0b3-c947-4440-ae92-5f1a3a275d8a%7D.pdf (2017);
Law n.º 22/10 of 3 December 2010 on Political Parties, art. 7: http://www.tribunalconstitucional.ao/uploads/%7Bba5a9a35-5652-4e00-ba36-89281ab1b7a6%7D.pdf (2017)
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2017/03/29
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Anguilla
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h. No information available
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2015/02/27
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Antigua and Barbuda
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e. As agreed by special committee
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2(b) requiring owners of electronic and print media to
provide equitable allocation of time and space, in a
non-discriminatory manner to enable political parties
and candidates to carry their messages in accordance
with guidelines established by the Commission
Source:
Representation of the People Act Amendment 2002 Section 36. 1-3
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AG/antigua-and-barbuda-amendment-to-the-1/view
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2014/06/06
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Argentina
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
c. Based on result of previous election
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Source:
Law for Financing Political Parties: “Ley de Financiamiento de los partidos políticos — Ley 26215”, art. 43 sexies: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/AR/argentina-ley-26215-financiamiento-pp-pp-2019/ (2019)
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2021/12/26
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Armenia
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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Candidates for the President of the Republic, as well as political parties and political party alliances participating in elections shall have the right to use air time of the Public Radio and Public Television (including by live transmission) on equal grounds, free of charge, and for pay.
Source:
Electoral Code of 26 May 2011, art. 19 (1): http://res.elections.am/images/doc/_ecode.pdf (2013).
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2015/12/01
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Aruba
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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h) There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source:
Mr. Hubert Maduro, President, Electoral Council of Aruba
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2017/07/07
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Australia
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d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
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To qualify for time on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (which does not usually run advertisements) the two major political parties have equal time, and minor parties or independents who won a significant proportion of the vote (ie a seat) at last election get a proportion of that time.
Source:
https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/backgrounders/authorisation.htm
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2024/09/09
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Austria
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i. Not applicable
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Source:
Federal Act on the Functions, Financing and Election Campaigning of
Political Parties (1975), Art. 7
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2012/05/29
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Azerbaijan
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
g. Other (specify)
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80.1: The following shall have the right to free airtime of TV and radio companies for election campaigning, in accordance with Article
77.2 of this Code:
• Presidential candidates;
• Political parties or blocs of political parties with candidates
registered in more than 60 single-mandate election constituencies, or
in more than half of all municipalities; and
• Referendum campaign groups with 40,000 or more members.
80.2: The following shall have the tight to free TV and radio airtime
companies for pre-election campaigning, in accordance with Article
77.3 of this Code:
• Candidates registered in single-mandate constituencies;
• Referendum campaign groups with 20,000 or more members; and
• Political parties or blocs of political parties with candidates
registered in more than 1/3 of all municipalities.
80.3: Candidates for membership of a municipality and referendum campaign groups with 2,000 or more members, shall have the right to free airtime for election campaigning from TV and radio companies, in accordance with Article 77.4 of this Code.
83.2: In order to conduct unpaid pre-election campaigning, candidates registered for single-mandate constituencies and referendum campaign groups with 20,000 or more members, as well as political parties or blocs of political parties whose candidates have been registered in more than 1/3 of all municipalities, shall be entitled to relevant space for free advertising in periodicals issued at least once a week, mentioned in Article 77.3 of this Code
Source:
Election Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan including 2024 amendments, article 80 and 83: https://msk.gov.az/uploads/qanunvericilik/Election-Code-2024.pdf
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2024/11/12
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Bahamas
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h. No information available
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Free broadcast time is not allocated to candidates of elections however any Minister responsible for relations with the Broadcasting Corporation of The
Bahamas may request a limit of 6 hours of time per week for free government use.
Source:
International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Bahamas Law on Broadcasting, Chapter 305 Art.12
http://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/funding-of-political-parties-and-election-campaigns.pdf (2017)
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2017/03/27
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Bahrain
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i. Not applicable
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The election of members of the House of Representatives shall be conducted based on the individual electoral system.
All media outlets must ensure equal treatment of all candidates in their media coverage.
Source:
The Shura and Representatives Councils Law, art. 9, 26: https://regulations-references-laws-s3-bucket.s3.me-south-1.amazonaws.com/public/_pdf-1705188185067.pdf
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2024/11/25
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Bangladesh
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i. Not applicable
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Registered political parties are entitled to free air time by state-owned media outlets during the general election period. Only registered political parties are entitled to this benefit however.
Source:
International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Representation of the People Order, Art 90B.(c)
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2012/05/30
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Barbados
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h. No information available
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There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source:
International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
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2007/01/17
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Belarus
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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The state mass media, mass media partially financed from the state budget or local budgets as well as mass media, one of the founders of which is state bodies or organizations, are obliged to provide equal opportunities for electoral statements of candidates, publishing and promulgation of issues, texts of draft laws put forward for referendum, holding the agitation on elections, referendum.
Source:
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 46: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
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2023/09/13
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Belgium
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h. No information available
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2019/04/25
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Belize
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i. Not applicable
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There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source:
Electoral Law: “Representation of the People Act, Chapter 9”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BZ/belize-representation-of-the-people-act-2020/ ;
International IDEA Political Finance Database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=23&database_theme=302
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2025/03/24
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Benin
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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Candidates and political parties can use for their campaign, State media: radio, television and press. The High Authority of Audiovisual and Communication ensures equal access to state media for all candidates and political parties eligible to participate in elections.
Source:
Law n ° 2010-33 of 7 January 2011 setting general rules for the elections in the Republic of Benin, art. 49
http://ddata.over-blog.com/1/35/48/78/Benin-2/Loi-electorale-generale-pour-2011.pdf (2016)
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2019/04/05
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Bermuda
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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Source:
Randy Scott, Parliamentary Registry
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2012/05/31
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Bhutan
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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The Election Commission shall allocate equitable time to all registered political parties on the cable television network and other electronic media to display or propagate any election matter or to address public in connection with election during the period of campaign.
Source:
Elections Act of Bhutan (2008), Chapter 13, Article 270-273: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ElectionActEnglish.pdf
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2024/08/27
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Bolivia
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
c. Based on result of previous election
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The Supreme Electoral Court determines and allocates the organization of free broadcast time to the political parties.
Source:
Political Parties’ Law; “Ley de Organizaciones Políticas — Ley 1096-2018”, art. 75: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/BO/bolivia-ley-1096-2018-de-organizaciones-politicas/ (2019).
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2024/12/10
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Bosnia and Herzegovina
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
g. Other (specify)
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In broadcasts of the electronic media, no political entity shall have a privileged position with respect to another political entity.
The regulations of the Central Election Commission of BIH shall determine the amount of broadcast time to be allocated to the political entities, the broadcast time and duration of the broadcast, as well as the geographic regions covered by the broadcasts.
Source:
Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chapter 16., 16.3, 16.14(4)
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
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2025/06/26
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Botswana
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i. Not applicable
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Political finance is not regulated in Botswana and there is no direct or indirect public funding for political parties.
Source:
EISA - Code of conduct and party finance in Botswana: http://www.content.eisa.org.za/old-page/botswana-code-conduct-and-party-finance (2014).
Electoral Act of 1968 (as amended until 2012): http://www.iec.gov.bw/images/pdf/ElectoralAct.pdf (2014).
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2014/10/28
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Brazil
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
c. Based on result of previous election
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Art. 47:
§ 2º The time reserved for advertising in each election, as per § 1, will be distributed among all parties and coalitions that have candidates, following the criteria set forth below:
I – 90% (ninety percent) shall be distributed proportionally to the number of representatives in the Chamber of Deputies, considering, in the case of a coalition for the majoritarian elections, the sum of the number of representatives from the six (6) largest parties that are part of it;
II – 10% (ten percent) shall be distributed equally.
Source:
Elections Law – Law No. 9,504, of September 30, 1997, Article 36 - 57-J:
https://www.tse.jus.br/legislacao/codigo-eleitoral/lei-das-eleicoes/lei-das-eleicoes-lei-nb0-9.504-de-30-de-setembro-de-1997
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2024/10/21
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Brunei Darussalam
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i. Not applicable
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Source:
CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bx.html (2013);
Freedom House Report 2012: http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2012/brunei (2013)
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2013/03/18
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Bulgaria
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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The amended Electoral Code provides for electoral contestants to be
allocated free airtime equally on public television and radio. Contestants will be entitled to air initial
and closing campaign spots and to participate in debates.
Source:
Electoral Law: Election Code, Art. 178,193,189
OSCE/ODIHR NEEDS ASSESSMENT MISSION REPORT
page 7
http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/122987?download=true
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2014/10/03
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Burkina Faso
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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Source:
Electoral Code as amended in 2015, art. 188, 189: http://www.ceni.bf/sites/default/files/Code_électoral_BF-Version_21.05.2015.pdf (2015)
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2015/12/04
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Burma (Myanmar)
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e. As agreed by special committee
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In the April 2012 by-elections, each of the 17 political parties that nominated candidates was allocated free broadcast time on radio and television and was allowed to print a party policy statement in the government-run newspaper "The New Light of Myanmar".
Source:
The New Light of Myanmar, 18 February 2012, p. 11: http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs13/NLM2012-02-18.pdf (2013);
Federation of American Scientists, Michael F. Martin, CRS Report on Burma’s April Parliamentary By-Elections, p. 4: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R42438.pdf (2013).
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2015/11/20
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Burundi
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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Candidates and political parties can use the public media for their campaigns. The National Communication Council ensures equal access for all candidates.
Source:
Electoral Code, art. 31: https://courconstitutionnelle.gov.bi/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Code-Electoral_30092024095027.pdf
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2025/05/08
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Cambodia
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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The National Election Committee shall take steps to publicize political messages at the request of a political party, which has been registered for running in the election, based on equal and orderly access to media.
Source:
Law on the Election of the Members of the National Assembly, art. 75: http://ngocedaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/tmp_11849-Draft-of-LEMNA-by-CNRP-CPP_March_08_2015132491924.pdf
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2023/10/12
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Cameroon
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b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
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Free airtime is allocated to political parties in proportion to the number of candidates put forward. None of these political parties can be allocated less than 5 minutes on television and 10 minutes on radio during the campaign period.
Source:
Decree No. 92/030 of 13 February 1992 regulating the access of political parties to public audiovisual media, art. 10: http://www.spm.gov.cm/fr/documentation/textes-legislatifs-et-reglementaires/article/decret-n-92030-du-13-fevrier-1992-fixant-les-modalites-dacces-des-partis-politiques-aux-medias-au.html (2012)
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2012/08/10
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Canada
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d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
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The allocation of free broadcasting time depends on two criteria, the percentage of seats in the House of Commons held by each of the registered parties at the previous general election and the percentage of the popular vote at the previous general election of each registered party. The Broadcast Arbitrator shall in addition give half the weight given to each of the factors above to the number of candidates endorsed by each of the registered parties at the previous general election, expressed as a percentage of all candidates endorsed by all registered parties at that election. See Canada Elections Act ss. 338, 339.
Source:
The Canada Elections Act (2015), Clause 338-339
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/E-2.01.pdf
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2025/03/28
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Cape Verde
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b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
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Source:
Electoral Law as amended by Law No 56/VII/2010, art. 117: http://www.parlamento.cv/userfiles/image/site/Leis/Altera%20o%20C%C3%B3digo%20Eleitoral%20-%20texto%20integrante.pdf (2016)
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2016/05/04
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Cayman Islands
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i. Not applicable
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The law does not provide for free broadcast time and/or printed advertisement spaces.
Source:
Electoral Law: “Elections Act (2021 Revision)”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/KY/cayman-islands-elections-act-2021-revision/ ;
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2021/12/13
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Central African Republic
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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a) Applies to free broadcast time.
Source:
Electoral Law N° 09.016, Art. 59: http://ddata.over-blog.com/1/35/48/78/Centrafrique/CODE_ELECTORAL-RCA-2-octobre-2010.pdf (2016);
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2021/04/19
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Chad
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Electoral Law N° 003/PR/2008 amended by law n° 008/PR/2009, law n° 007/PR/2010 and law n° 020/PR/2010, art. 119: http://publicofficialsfinancialdisclosure.worldbank.org/sites/fdl/files/assets/law-library-files/Chad_Electoral%20code_2009_fr.pdf (2016)
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2019/04/23
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Chile
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
c. Based on result of previous election
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In the case of the President’s election, broadcasting time is allocated on equal terms. When presidential, deputy, and senatorial elections are being held at the same time, media will be distributed evenly. On the other hand, for elections of deputies or senators the broadcasting time will be allocated according to the result of previous election.
Art 31: "Los canales de televisión de libre recepción deberán destinar gratuitamente treinta minutos
diarios de sus transmisiones a propaganda electoral en los casos de elección de Presidente de la República,
de diputados y senadores, únicamente de diputados o de plebiscitos nacionales. Cuando correspondan elecciones conjuntas de Presidente de la República y de diputados y senadores, los canales de televisión de libre recepción destinarán, también gratuitamente, cuarenta minutos diarios a propaganda electoral, los que se distribuirán en veinte minutos para la elección de Presidente de la República y veinte minutos para la elección de diputados y senadores." - Free-to-air television channels must devote thirty minutes a day of their broadcasts free of charge to electoral propaganda in the event of the election of the President of the Republic, of deputies and senators, only of deputies or of national plebiscites.When joint elections of the President of the Republic and of deputies and senators are held, the television channels of free reception shall devote forty minutes a day to electoral propaganda, also free of charge, which shall be distributed in twenty minutes for the election of the President of the Republic and twenty minutes for the election of deputies and senators.
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional sobre Votaciones Populares y Escrutinios (2016)”, art. 30 & 31:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-votaciones-populares-y-escrutinios/
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2025/03/25
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China
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h. No information available
|
|
2012/06/04
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Cocos (keeling) Islands
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c. Based on result of previous election
|
To qualify for time on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (which does not usually run advertisements) the two major political parties have equal time, and minor parties or independents who won a significant proportion of the vote (ie a seat) at last election get a proportion of that time.
Source:
https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/backgrounders/authorisation.htm
|
2019/07/10
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Colombia
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
f. Based on size of legislative caucus
|
40% of the free time is allocated on an equal basis, and 60% in proportion to the number of seats in the House of Representatives.
Source:
Law 1475 of 2011: “Ley 1475 de 2011 sobre los partidos y movimientos políticos”, art. 36: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CO/colombia-ley-1475-de-2011-sobre-partidos-politicos/ (2011).
|
2024/12/13
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Comoros
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Law No 10-018/AU Amending certain provisions of the Electoral Act No. 07-001/AU of 14 January 2007, art. 73
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/KM/comores-electoral-law-2010/view (2016)
|
2016/04/12
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Congo (Brazzaville)
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Each candidate or list of candidates is entitled to equal free broadcast time.
Source:
Election law of 24 November 2001, Art. 36, 39: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CG/congo-brazzaville-electoral-law-2001/view (2017)
|
2017/03/29
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Congo (Kinshasa), Democratic Republic of the
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Loi électorale (2015), art. 30: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CD/congo-kinshasa-rdc-loi-electorale-2015/
|
2016/11/29
|
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Cook Islands
|
h. No information available
|
No free broadcast time or free printed advertisement is allocated to political parties.
The power of the Minister under sub-section (1) shall not include the power to require the Corporation or a licensee to transmit any programme or other matter that is promoting or opposing -
(a) a candidate in an election;
(b) a particular point of view in relation to an issue or matter that is being submitted to the electorate.
Source:
Teokoati Joseph, Chief Probation Officer, Probation Service - Ministry of Justice
Broadcasting Act (1989), Art. 42(4)
|
2014/06/05
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|
Costa Rica
|
i. Not applicable
i. Not applicable
|
There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley 8765: Código Electoral”, art. 136-142: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-ley-8765-codigo-electoral-2018.pdf/
|
2018/01/24
|
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Croatia
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The LERCP and the 2003 “Rules of Procedure for Electronic Media with National Concession in the Republic of Croatia during the Election Campaign” (amended in 2007) regulate the media coverage during the official campaign period. The legal framework requires that the national broadcast media, both public and private, provide coverage of all contestants on an equal basis. While the private media may choose to abstain from campaign coverage, the national public broadcaster HRT has the obligation to air a variety of special election programmes that cover contestants’ platforms and campaign activities, as well as to provide ten-minute slots of free airtime in both TV and radio programmes for each contestant.
Source:
OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission Report on the Parliamentary Elections in Croatia on 4 December 2011 (Warsaw, 2011):
http://www.osce.org/odihr/87655
|
2020/07/06
|
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Cuba
|
e. As agreed by special committee
|
The National Electoral Council makes the appropriate arrangements.
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley No. 127, Ley Electoral”, art. 200: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CU/cuba-ley-electoral-127-2019-ace/
|
2023/09/12
|
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Cyprus
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Art. 34D, para. 5-6 the television or radio broadcaster broadcasts political advertising under the same economic or other conditions for all candidates in the case of presidential elections and for all candidates in the case of parliamentary elections or European Parliament elections,
the broadcaster or broadcaster shall, as far as possible, ensure an equal percentage of political advertising time between candidates in the case of presidential elections and between candidates in the case of parliamentary elections or European Parliament elections, as appropriate, both within the family area and as well as when it is broadcast during the high-audience or high-audience period
Source:
Law 7(I)/1998 Regulating Radio and Television Stations (Greek Version), Art. 34D, 45(1):
http://www.cylaw.org/nomoi/enop/non-ind/1998_1_7/full.html (2016);
The Cyprus Radio – Television Authority:
http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio.nsf/0/C111B7FD1A982578C2256D710021C3E2?OpenDocument (2016);
Evaluation Report on Cyprus on Transparency of Party Funding 2011 para. 26:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/CY/cyprus-evaluation-report-on-cyprus-on-transparency/ (2016);
Presidential Election, 28 January 2018 OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report :
https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/cyprus/363771?download=true
|
2024/10/25
|
|
Cyprus (North)
|
h. No information available
|
The right of politica1 parties to benefit from radio, television, news, agencies and other similar State authorities shall be regulated by law.
Source:
Constitution, Art. 130
|
2012/06/07
|
|
Czech Republic
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Article 16: (1) Each mayor may reserve a space for election posters 16 days before the date of the elections. He/she must ensure that any such space can be used equally by all political parties, movements and coalitions, or by all candidates standing for the Senate.
(3) In total, Czech Radio and Czech Television shall each reserve 14 hours of broadcasting time free of charge for all political parties, movements and coalitions whose candidate list has been registered for the elections to the Chamber of Deputies. The broadcasts shall begin 16 days before the date of the elections and end 48 hours before the date of the elections. The aforementioned time shall be divided equally among all such political parties, movements and coalitions.
Source:
Electoral Law: Act of Law 247/1995 Coll., on elections to the Parliament of the Czech Republic (amended by 480/2006 Coll.), art. 16 (1) & (3)
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/CZ/czech-republic-act-no.-247-on-elections-to-the/view (2017)
|
2023/09/18
|
|
Côte d'Ivoire
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Code électoral (2015), article 30: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/CI/cote-divoire-code-electoral-2015/view
|
2016/12/01
|
|
Denmark
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
"[The] guidelines of the “Danish Radio and Television” (a national public service station) ensure all political parties registered to participate in the elections equal access to pre-election programmes on radio and television. The parties in question (no matter how small) are given equal time free of charge to present their manifestos, etc. to the public. Advertisements by political parties on national Danish television and radio and local Danish television channels are not permitted, but are allowed on commercial radio broadcasting channels."
Source:
The Parliamentary Electoral System in Denmark, Section 3.5, pg. 21.
https://www.thedanishparliament.dk/~/media/pdf/publikationer/english/the-parliamentary-system-of-denmark_2011.ashx
|
2019/05/27
|
|
Djibouti
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Art 60: 60 minutes of broadcast time are allocated to each political party.
Art 61: Locations are reserved for posting by local authorities in equal numbers for each candidate or list of candidates as appropriate.
Source:
Electoral Law n° 1/ AN /92 regulating elections, as amended by Organic Law n ° L 11/AN/02/4, art. 60, 61:
https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/DJ/djibouti-electoral-law-1992/view (2016);
|
2018/04/02
|
|
Dominica
|
h. No information available
|
There is no free allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source:
International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
|
2007/01/17
|
|
Dominican Republic
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Ley Electoral “Ley Orgánica de Régimen Electoral No. 15-19 art. 187 (3): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/DO/republica-dominicana-ley-organica-de-regimen/ (2019)
|
2020/02/05
|
|
Ecuador
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The State, through the budget of the National Electoral Council, will exclusively finance the campaign propaganda in the written press, radio, television and billboards of political organizations, which will not be able to pay for advertising in the media.
Source:
Constitution: “Constitución de la República del Ecuador”, art. 115: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-constitucion-2020/ ;
Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Electoral y de Organizaciones Políticas de la República del Ecuador, Código de la Democracia”, art. 202, 203, 205, 207, 358: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/EC/ecuador-codigo-democracia-2023/
|
2025/03/13
|
|
Egypt
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The National Electoral Commission shall create rules governing distribution of air time available, especially prime-time TV and radio, for the purpose of electoral campaigning in state-owned and private media outlets based on full equality.
Source:
Law No. 73 of the year 1956 Regulating the Exercise of Political Rights and its Amendments, art. 3 Bis-F (7): http://www.democracy-reporting.org/files/law_on_the_exercise_of_political_rights_including_amendments_to_december.pdf (2012).
|
2018/04/02
|
|
El Salvador
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
|
Half the total time is divided equally among all political parties. The other half is distributed according to how many representatives the party has in the Legislature. Parties running for the first time are allotted time equivalent to the shortest amount of time given.
Source:
Political Parties Act: "Decreto No. 307 — Ley de Partidos Políticos", art. 61: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/SV/el-salvador-recopilacion-legislacion-electoral-2021/
|
2024/12/19
|
|
Eritrea
|
g. Other (specify)
|
All candidates shall have the right to equally and free-of-charge access and use government owned mass media
Source:
Elections Act, art, 43
|
2011/06/22
|
|
Estonia
|
i. Not applicable
|
The public service broadcaster does not carry any advertising, including political advertising. Political parties and candidates placed paid advertisements in private media. There is no regulation regarding the rates broadcasters may charge electoral subjects. Political advertising is not specifically defined under any law and, as a result, it is unclear which laws regulate it.
Source:
OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Report on the Parliamentary Elections in the Republic of Estonia on 6 March 2011 (Warsaw, 2011): http://www.osce.org/odihr/77557
|
2015/03/03
|
|
Ethiopia
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Political organizations and sections of the community that are in support of a candidate shall be entitled to equal access to state-owned mass media including radio, TV and newspapers. Candidates shall be entitled to get access to free airtime on the state-owned media.
Source:
Broadcasting Service Proclamation No 533/2007, art. 43: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ET/ethiopia-broadcasting-service-proclamation-no-533/view ;
Electoral Law as amended by Proclamation No. 532/2007, art. 59
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ET/ethiopia-proclamatio-no.-532-2007-amending-the/view
|
2015/05/18
|
|
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
|
h. No information available
|
Source:
Electoral Law: “Electoral Ordinance 1988”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/FK/falkland-islands-electoral-ordinance-1988/ ;
|
2022/04/19
|
|
Fiji
|
i. Not applicable
|
113.—(1) It shall be unlawful to use State authority, including law and tax enforcement authorities, to pressure or intimidate political opposition.
117. Any broadcast or print advertisement paid for by a political party or candidate must clearly indicate that it is a paid political advertisement and include the name of the political party, the authorizing officer of the party or the candidate who authorised and paid for the advertisement.
Source:
Electoral Decree No. 11 of 2014, art. 113(1), art. 117: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/FJ/fiji-electoral-decree-no.-11-of-2014/at_download/file (2014).
|
2018/04/20
|
|
Finland
|
c. Based on result of previous election
|
Section 10
(1) State authorities and the State or an organisation or a body governed by the State must treat all political parties equally and following uniform criteria.
(2) Oy Yleisradio Ab (Finnish Broadcasting Company) may, when it applies the provisions in subsection 1, take into account aspects relating to public service programming. (653/1992)
"Overall, the media concentrated coverage on the parties represented in the outgoing parliament. YLE’s campaign-related TV and radio broadcasts provided significant airtime in electoral debates and interviews for representatives from the eight parliamentary parties"
--There is ultimately not a lot of information in the legal framework on the allocation of free broadcast time--
Source:
Act 10/1969 on Political Parties as amended, Section 10
https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1969/en19690010_19920653.pdf
OSCE/ODIHR NEEDS assessment mission report - Parliamentary Elections in Finland (17 April 2011): http://www.osce.org/odihr/75599 (2012)
|
2019/04/02
|
|
France
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
e. As agreed by special committee
|
d) For European and legislative elections, free broadcast time is allocated to political parties which are represented at the National Assembly.
For presidential elections, according to the principle of equality, all candidates have equal access to free broadcast time.
e) The Supreme Council for Audiovisual Services
Source:
Electoral Code, Art. 167-1 (I);
Decree No. 2001-213 of 8 March 2001 implementing Law No. 62-1292 of 6 November 1962 on the election of the President of the Republic, Art. 15;
Official Website of the Supreme Council for Audiovisual Services: http://www.csa.fr/Television/Le-suivi-des-programmes/Le-pluralisme-politique-et-les-campagnes-electorales/Le-pluralisme-en-periode-electorale (2012)
|
2020/06/20
|
|
French Guiana
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
e. As agreed by special committee
|
d.)The criteria for allocating free broadcast time to political parties depend on the nature of the election. For European and legislative elections, the free broadcast time is allocted to each political party depends on whether it is represented in Parliament. Electoral code, L.167-1 + loi du 7 juillet 1977 relative à l'élection des représentants au Parlement européen. For the presidential election, all candidates are allocated equal free broadcast time.
e.) Le Conseil supérieur de l'audivisuel
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/14
|
|
French Polynesia
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
e. As agreed by special committee
|
d.)The criteria for allocating free broadcast time to political parties depend on the nature of the election. For European and legislative elections, the free broadcast time is allocted to each political party depends on whether it is represented in Parliament. Electoral code, L.167-1 + loi du 7 juillet 1977 relative à l'élection des représentants au Parlement européen. For the presidential election, all candidates are allocated equal free broadcast time. e.) Le Conseil supérieur de l'audivisuel
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/19
|
|
Gabon
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Code of Audiovisual, Cinematographic and Written Communication (Law No. 07/2001), art. 52: http://www.droit-afrique.com/images/textes/Gabon/Gabon%20-%20Code%20de%20la%20communication.pdf (2017)
|
2025/05/13
|
|
Gambia
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The Commission shall, during an election campaign period, ensure that equal time is given to each candidate and national party on the public radio and television.
Source:
Elections Decree 78 of 1996, part VI, Article 93, 94, sections 93:http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GM/gambia-elections-decree-78-of-1996/view;
Report of the Commonwealth Expert Team on the Gambia presidential election of 24 November 2011: http://aceproject.org/electoral-advice/dop?country=Gambia&organization=&year=2011&election=2&mission=&report=3&keywords= (2012)
|
2017/03/21
|
|
Georgia
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
c. Based on result of previous election
|
A general broadcaster, as well as a broadcaster transmitting the election advertising shall be obliged to allocate to each qualified election subject the time lasting for 90 seconds in every 3 hours free of charge and without discrimination. Further addition of an unused time to the other time assigned thereto is impermissible.
The Public Broadcaster, as well as a community broadcaster, which allocates time for the election advertising, shall be obliged to allocate to each qualified election subject the time lasting for 60 seconds per hour free of charge and without discrimination. Further addition of an unused time to the other time assigned thereto is impermissible.
The Public Broadcaster (legal entity of public law) is obliged to allocate an airtime for pre-election advertising of all other parties and election blocs, other than qualified election subjects, which shall be equally distributed among these subjects.
Source:
The Election Core of Georgia, art. 51:
https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/1557168?publication=87
|
2024/07/25
|
|
Germany
|
i. Not applicable
|
Any political party taking part in elections for the German Bundestag shall, subject to cost reimbursement, be granted a reasonable amount of transmission time if at least one state list of candidates has been approved for that party. Furthermore, any party or other political association taking part in the election of candidates from the Federal Republic of Germany for the European Parliament is entitled to a reasonable amount of transmission time if at least one electoral list has been approved, subject to cost reimbursement.
Source:
Interstate Broadcasting Agreement, Art. 42
https://germanlawarchive.iuscomp.org/?p=655#ToC51
|
2025/03/11
|
|
Ghana
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The state shall provide fair opportunity to all political parties to present their programmes to the public by ensuring equal access to the state-owned media. Constitution, art.55
Source:
Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (1996), art. 55 (11):
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GH/ghana-constitution-1992-with-amendments-through/
|
2016/10/05
|
|
Gibraltar
|
h. No information available
|
|
2019/11/04
|
|
Greece
|
c. Based on result of previous election
e. As agreed by special committee
|
e) After prior statement of the Inter-party Committee of Elections and the National Council for Radio and Television
Source:
Law 3023/2002, Art. 10:1
https://www.hellenicparliament.gr/Nomothetiko-Ergo/Anazitisi-Nomothetikou-Ergou?law_id=277423dd-c105-442d-8ebc-a73cd296ba8a
|
2020/07/26
|
|
Greenland
|
h. No information available
|
|
2012/06/14
|
|
Grenada
|
h. No information available
|
There are no free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space allocated to political parties.
Source:
International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
|
2006/11/30
|
|
Guadeloupe
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
e. As agreed by special committee
|
d)The criteria for allocating free broadcast time to political parties depend on the nature of the election. For European and legislative elections, the free broadcast time is allocated to each political party depends on whether it is represented in Parliament. Electoral code, L.167-1 + loi du 7 juillet 1977 relative à l'élection des représentants au Parlement européen. For the presidential election, all candidates are allocated equal free broadcast time;
e) Le Conseil supérieur de l'audivisuel
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/14
|
|
Guam
|
h. No information available
|
Source:
https://gec.guam.gov/index.php/about-the-gec/election-laws-rules-regulations
|
2020/10/28
|
|
Guatemala
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
|
From the resources at the disposition of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to hire broadcasting time, 50% is allocated to the presidential candidates, 25% to the candidates to the legislature and the remaining 25% to the candidates to the municipal governments. Then, using the media plans of the political parties as input, it puts together a consolidated plan. The legislature and municipal candidates can give their broadcasting time to the presidential candidate of their respective political party.
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley Electoral y de Partidos Políticos”, art. 220–222: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/GT/guatemala-lepp-y-reglamentos-2023/ ;
Mass Media Regulations: “Reglamento de la Unidad Especializada sobre Medios de Comunicación y Estudios de Opinión”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/GT/guatemala-lepp-y-reglamentos-2023/
|
2023/05/29
|
|
Guinea
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Electoral Code No. 91/012/CTRN, art. 56: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/GN/guinea-electoral-code-2010/
|
2017/01/26
|
|
Guinea-Bissau
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Electoral Law of 11 November 2009 on the election of the President of the Republic and the National People's Assembly ("Lei Eleitoral Para Presidente da República e Assembleia Nacional Popular"), art. 36, 37: http://www.cne-guinebissau.org/phocadownload/lei_eleitoral.pdf (2012)
|
2014/06/24
|
|
Guyana
|
h. No information available
|
There are no set criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties. It is the consideration of individual media houses to determine how much free time, if at all, would be allocated to political parties.
Source:
Vishnu Persaud, Guyana Elections Commission
|
2015/05/11
|
|
Haiti
|
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
|
Source:
Le Moniteur sous la direction de Beauzile, Fritzner, « Loi électoral », http://haitijustice.com/pdf/legislation/loi-electorale-haiti-2013.pdf, Art.114.2, 168ième année No. 229, 2013, P.28.
|
2015/04/08
|
|
Holy See (Vatican City State)
|
i. Not applicable
|
|
2012/05/14
|
|
Honduras
|
g. Other (specify)
|
The National Electoral Council must promote the signing of an agreement for advertising equity, which includes the possibility of private media companies granting free slots to political parties.
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley Electoral de Honduras”, art. 228: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/HN/honduras-ley-electoral-2021-con-reformas-2021/
|
2025/08/07
|
|
Hong Kong
|
i. Not applicable
|
|
2021/06/07
|
|
Hungary
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Article IX (3)
In the interest of the appropriate provision of information as necessary during the electoral campaign period for the formation of democratic public opinion, political advertisements may only be published in media services free of charge, under conditions guaranteeing equal opportunities, laid down in a cardinal Act.
Source:
Constitution: The Fundamental Law of Hungary (as Amended in 2013), Article IX(3): http://njt.hu/cgi_bin/njt_doc.cgi?docid=140968.322953.
|
2018/07/30
|
|
Iceland
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
"Some form of indirect funding of election campaigns is provided through free broadcasting time on the State-owned television channel at the time of election campaigns."
Source:
Government of Iceland Prime Minister's Office (2010) Progress Report on RC-III Iceland, The Implementation of the Recommendations of GRECO on Iceland of party funding (theme II), Page 5
https://www.stjornarradid.is/media/innanrikisraduneyti-media/media/2010/GrecoRC3%282010%292_Iceland_EN.pdf
|
2020/07/27
|
|
India
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
g. Other (specify)
|
Allocation is made in the the form of free broadcasting and television time in the state owned media.
Time allocation is based on a special formula established by the Electoral Management Body.
Source:
Compendium of Instruction on Media Related Matters (January 2020): https://ceoharyana.gov.in/Website/ELECTIONCOMMISSION/Images/ee4f86ef-18f6-4154-a391-deba8dc9e986.pdf
|
2024/09/05
|
|
Indonesia
|
i. Not applicable
|
Article 92(2): Community broadcasting institutions can broadcast election processes in the interest of public service but shall not be used for the campaign interest of the Election Contestants.
Source:
Law 8/2012 on General Election of the Members of House of Representatives, People’s Representatives Council and Regional House of Representatives, Art. 92(2): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/ID/indonesia-law-8-2012-on-general-election-of-the/view
|
2024/02/07
|
|
Iran, Islamic Republic of
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The law guarantees equal campaign conditions for nominees, including equal access to Iran’s state owned-media, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Broadcasting (IRIB).
Source:
DUALITY BY DESIGN: The Iranian Electoral System: https://www.sssup.it/UploadDocs/14620_2_R_Duality_by_Design__The_Iranian_Electoral_System_Yasmin_Alem.pdf
|
2024/11/19
|
|
Iraq
|
h. No information available
|
|
2018/04/19
|
|
Ireland
|
i. Not applicable
|
There is no obligation on broadcasters to transmit party political broadcasts during election or referenda periods.
Source:
Broadcasting Act 2009, Art. 39(2): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2009/act/18/enacted/en/print.html
|
2024/11/21
|
|
Israel
|
g. Other (specify)
|
Election broadcasts begin on television 21 days before the elections. All election advertising is broadcast free of charge on television and radio, although the parties are responsible for preparing the advertisements at their own expense. Under the principle of equal opportunity, it is prohibited to purchase broadcasting time.
The Election Law contains strict rules regarding the timing, length and content of television and radio election broadcasts. Parties participating in the elections receive broadcasting minutes according to a formula set in law. Each is given a basic and equal allocation of minutes for broadcasts on television and radio. Factions which have candidates who served in the outgoing Knesset are allocated an additional amount of time based on their number of former Members of Knesset (MKs).
For example, each party receives 7 basic minutes of advertising on television and an additional 2 minute per former MK. On radio, each party list receives 15 basic minutes and 4 additional ones per outgoing MK. Parties are also limited in the amount of inches of election advertising they can print in newspapers.
Other restrictions on advertising include:
No use of children under the age of 15;
No use of the IDF that creates the impression that the army identifies with a particular party;
No use of the names or images of victims of terrorism without their permission or that of their surviving family.
Source:
Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles: https://embassies.gov.il/la/Pages/FAQ-Elections-in-Israel.aspx
|
2019/06/13
|
|
Italy
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Law of 22 February 2000, n. 28, Art. 1;
Legislative decree of 31 July 2005, n. 177 ("Testo unico della radiotelevisione"), Art. 7(2)c
|
2020/07/18
|
|
Jamaica
|
h. No information available
|
There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source:
International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
|
2007/01/17
|
|
Japan
|
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
|
Political parties and independent candidates have free access to TV and radio broadcast, and newspaper advertisements during the election campaign.
Source:
International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns";
Public Offices Election Act, Art.149, 150, and 151:
https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/search/elawsSearch/elaws_search/lsg0500/detail?lawId=325AC1000000100#1
|
2019/07/09
|
|
Jordan
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
The 2012 Parliament Elections Law No. 25, art. 22 (A): http://www.entikhabat.jo/Documents/Laws/Election%20Law%20No%2025%20of%202012.pdf (2013)
|
2013/01/25
|
|
Kazakhstan
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
2.The candidates and political parties which have nominated their party lists shall be guaranteed equal access conditions to mass media to conduct their pre-election campaigns.
3.The state guarantees candidates equal allocation of funds for their programs in the media. The procedure and the amount of funds allocated to the candidates for media appearances are determined by the Central Election Commission.
Presidential candidates, political parties that have put forward party lists of candidates for deputies of the Mazhilis have the right to participate in pre-election debates on television organized by the Central Election Commission.
Political parties that have put forward party lists of candidates for maslikhats may participate in pre-election debates on television, which are entitled to organize the relevant territorial election commissions.
The procedure and conditions for holding pre-election debates determined by the Central Election Commission should be equal and should not create advantages for any candidate or political party.
The mass media on a contractual basis provide airtime, print space to registered candidates and political parties that have nominated party lists. The terms of the agreement on the provision of airtime and printed space in the media to candidates and political parties that have put forward party lists should not create advantages for a candidate or a political party.
In the pre-election promotion the circulation of a periodical publication associated with election campaigning candidates, political parties nominating party lists must be the same for all candidates, political parties nominating party lists.
6.The local executive bodies jointly with the corresponding election commissions shall determine places for posting printed campaign materials for all candidates and shall equip them with stands, boards and advertising columns. The printed campaign materials shall be displayed in conditions that ensure equal rights for all candidates.
Source:
Constitutional Law on Elections of the Republic of Kazakhstan as amended on June 29, 2018, art. 28: https://www.election.gov.kz/eng/election-legal-framework/the-laws-of-the-rk.php
|
2024/10/23
|
|
Kenya
|
i. Not applicable
|
|
2012/03/28
|
|
Kiribati
|
i. Not applicable
|
There is no free broadcast time. The candidate or the parties have to fund for their own campaign.
Source:
Email from Ms Takiakia Maatia, Chief Electoral Officer, Department of Justice, Kiribati, January 31, 2018
https://www.idea.int/data-tools/country-view/159/55
|
2020/05/05
|
|
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
|
h. No information available
|
|
2014/06/23
|
|
Korea, Republic of
|
f. Based on size of legislative caucus
|
Political parties can have their policies broadcast in the form of a representative's speech twice a month during the 90 days before the election period begins, and the cost of broadcasting is generally borne by the political parties. However, if a political party that holds a negotiating group in the National Assembly uses public broadcasters during this period, the public broadcaster covers the cost for one of the two broadcasts per month.
Political parties are reimbursed for campaign expenses, including the cost of broadcast and print advertisements, based on their candidates' performance in the presidential election: they receive 100% reimbursement if they obtain 15% or more of the valid votes, and 50% reimbursement if they obtain more than 10% but less than 15% of the valid votes.
Source:
Public Official Election Act, Article 122 (2), 137 (2): https://www.nec.go.kr/site/eng/ex/bbs/List.do?cbIdx=1280
|
2024/08/28
|
|
Kuwait
|
i. Not applicable
|
Political parties are not allowed in Kuwait.
Source:
Democracy Reporting International, Assessment of the Electoral Framework of Kuwait: http://www.democracy-reporting.org/files/dri_kuwait_report_08.pdf (2013)
|
2013/01/31
|
|
Kyrgyzstan
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Candidates and political parties that have nominated lists of candidates shall have the right to
free airtime on the channels of TV and radio organizations that are subject to paragraph 18 of
Article 22 of this constitutional Law and which broadcast on the territory where elections are
held. The indicated airtime shall be during the period when the TV and radio programs gather the
largest audience i.e. from 8 PM to 12 PM.
The total amount of free airtime, allocated by the state TV and radio organization for campaigning during the elections of the President and the deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh, must be at least one hour on working days. The said free airtime shall be distributed on an equal basis between the registered candidates and political parties that nominated lists of candidates who appeared at the broadcast.
Source:
Constitutional Law No 68 of 2011 (amended 2020) “On elections of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and deputies of Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic”, art. 24(1-2), 25: https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/documents/a1/KYRG_Const%20Laww%20on%20Elections%20of%20President%20and%20MPs.pdf
|
2025/05/07
|
|
Lao People's Democratic Republic
|
i. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LA/Lao-People2019s-Democratic-Republic-Constitution/view;
Law No. 37/PO on the Election of Members of the National Assembly: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/LA/Lao-People2019s-Democratic-Republic-Law-on/view
|
2021/02/28
|
|
Latvia
|
g. Other (specify)
|
Section 2: (1) Candidates who are in a list of candidates of the same title have the right to use the broadcasting time of the Latvian Radio and Latvian Television for pre-election campaign free of charge in accordance with the procedures and the amount stipulated in this Law if they have submitted a statement regarding the submission of the list of candidates at least 40 days before the election day.
(2) Within the meaning of this Law, a pre-election campaign shall be the advertising of any political organisation, association of political organisations or any deputy candidate in mass media or otherwise if it contains a direct or indirect invitation to vote for or against any political organisation, association of political organisations or any deputy candidate.
Source:
Law on Pre-election Campaign Before the Saeima Elections and Elections to the European Parliament as amended on 15 January 2009, sec. 2(1) & (2).
|
2014/10/03
|
|
Lebanon
|
i. Not applicable
|
The Electoral Law regulates only paid electoral promotion.
Article 71: Paid electoral advertising
Advertising and publicity shall be permitted in media and advertising means, in accordance with the following provisions:
1 – The media and advertising agencies that wish to participate in the electoral advertising shall let the commission know at least ten days before the beginning of the campaign period with a declaration announcing the desire to participate along with a list of prices and the space that they want to allocate for publicity or election announcement
2 – The media and advertising agencies shall abide by the list of prices and spaces provided by it and shall not have the right to reject any electoral declaration requested by a list or a candidate
3 – It is prohibited for media and advertising agencies that did not submit their declaration within the time limit to carry out any advertising activity during the entire campaign period
4 – The media and advertising agencies must clearly state when they broadcast or publish for election ads, that these ads are in exchange for money, and to specify who requested this election ad
5 – It is prohibited for the media and advertising agencies to accept free advertisements or accept a fee that differs from what is included in the price list
6 – The candidate or its legal agent shall submit a copy of the electoral advertising tapes accompanied by a written reservation request to the committee and the media and advertising agencies for its broadcast or publication, at least three days before the chosen date for the publication or broadcast of the electoral ad
7 – Each media or advertising agency shall submit a subsequent weekly report to the commission, including a statement of the electoral advertisements and declarations that have been broadcasted or published in the prior week with the dates of broadcast or publication of each of them and the amount of money paid for it.
Source:
Parliamentary Election Law, art. 68 and 71: https://www.ministryinfo.gov.lb/en/22598
https://elections.gov.lb/getattachment/00bbe177-0eec-4f8a-a4df-e47c7e19b4de/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B5-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84-%28PDF%29.aspx%20(2017)
|
2024/11/20
|
|
Lesotho
|
g. Other (specify)
|
“The Commission shall, by arrangement with the Government-owned media, allocate time on the radio and television during which political parties may be allowed to speak or appear in campaigning for elections and the Commission shall determine the allocation of time to each political party.”
Source:
National Assembly Electoral Act (2011), Article 67(2)
|
2017/07/19
|
|
Liberia
|
h. No information available
i. Not applicable
|
Political parties are not entitled to free broadcast time. No later information available.
Source:
EISA Interim Statement of the Election Observer Mission to the Liberia Presidential, Senate and House of Representatives Elections of 11 October 2011, p. 4: http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/eomli201110.pdf (2013)
|
2024/10/25
|
|
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Candidates, approved by the HNEC, will get free airtime periods to present their political programs during broadcasting the electoral programs, in both public TV and radio channels.
The commission organizes the audio, visual and printed public media for the electoral campaign of al
candidates, equally.
Source:
Regulation on the Electoral Campaign of Candidates for the Council of Representatives in the Transitions, in the Public and the Private and the Private Media, attached with the Decision of the Commission No. (52) 2014, Article 9: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/LY/libya-regulation-on-the-electoral-campaign-of/view
Regulation on Electoral Campaigning for the Election of the Council of Representatives Annexed to Board of Commission Decision No. (51) 2014, Article 22: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/LY/libya-regulation-on-electoral-campaigning-for-the/view
|
2024/11/25
|
|
Liechtenstein
|
h. No information available
|
The legislation does not offer specific regulation on media coverage during elections.
Source:
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Principality of Liechtenstein, Parliamentary Elections 7 February 2021, Needs Assessment Mission Report, 2020 (9)
https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/a/f/473469.pdf
|
2025/02/18
|
|
Lithuania
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
After the announcement of the names of candidates and lists of candidates by the Central Electoral Commission, the candidates shall be granted the right to use the Lithuanian national radio and television free of charge. The rules for preparing programs for election campaign shall be approved and the actual duration and time of the Lithuanian national radio and television programs shall be established by the Central Electoral Commission after consultation with the head of the Lithuanian national radio and television. The Central Electoral Commission shall also distribute the time of the programs in such a manner that the following principles of equality are preserved: among the lists of candidates in the multi-member constituency; among single-member constituencies; among candidates in a single-member constituency.
Source:
Republic of Lithuania, Law on the Elections to the Seimas (9 July 1992, as last amended on 22 March 2016 – No XII-2265), art. 51(1)
https://e-seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/89e6d1a0f58111e5bf4ee4a6d3cdb874?jfwid=tu0odnkka
|
2020/06/05
|
|
Luxembourg
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
During election campaigns, the information and press service of the government provides the political parties with airtime and the opportunity to broadcast radio and television advertisements.
Source:
https://www.sgi-network.org/2022/Robust_Democracy/Quality_of_Democracy/Electoral_Processes/Media_Access
|
2024/11/21
|
|
Macedonia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
|
76a(5)
During the election campaign, in the first and the second round of voting, the Public
Broadcasting Service shall broadcast free political presentation of the participants in the
election process, pursuant to the principles for balanced coverage of elections prescribed
in Article 75-а of this Code.
75(a)
(1) Broadcasters shall ensure balanced coverage of the elections in all forms of electoral
presentation in the media in the following manner:
a) For the elections for President of the Republic, in accordance with the principle of
equality for all presidential candidates both in the first and the second round of
elections;
b) For the elections for Members of the Parliament of Republic of Macedonia, in
accordance with the principle of proportionality based on the number of
confirmed lists of candidates for Members of Parliament; and
c) For the local elections:
- For the election of Mayor of municipality, i.e. Mayor of the City of Skopje, in
accordance with the principle of equality for all candidates for Mayors both in
the first and second round of elections;
- For the election of Members of Councils of the municipalities, i.e. Members of
the Council of the City of Skopje, for broadcasters at the national and regional
level in accordance with the principle of proportionality, based on the number
of confirmed lists of candidates for Members of Councils of the municipalities
or Members of the Council of the City of Skopje, whereas for broadcasters at
the local level - in accordance with the principle of equality.
Source:
Electoral Code of the Republic of Macedonia including 2021 amendments, art. 76-a (5), 75(a): https://www.ifes.org/document/northmacedoniaelectoralcodeupdatesseptember2021pdf
|
2024/11/20
|
|
Madagascar
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Organic Law n° 2012-005 on the Electoral Code, art. 48: http://mdm-national.mg/bureau/textes-reglementaires/textes-reglementaires/ (2013)
|
2013/02/12
|
|
Malawi
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Applies only to state broadcast media. The Malawi Electoral Commission is required to allocate equal time on the radio for parties to campaign and to monitor public news broadcasts to ensure equal coverage of parties.
Source:
Electoral Law: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act, art. 63(1)(a),(2.)
|
2013/07/17
|
|
Malaysia
|
h. No information available
|
|
2012/08/08
|
|
Maldives
|
g. Other (specify)
|
Free airtime only for presidential election. For legislative election, there are no free airtime.
Presidential Elections Act (2008)
13. In addition to the campaigning carried out by candidates and political parties through broadcasting mediums in accordance with section 30 of Elections (General) Act (ActNo: 11/2008), state broadcasting authorities shall give free airtime, in accordance with the manner determined and publicized by them, without discriminating, to all candidates contesting in the presidential elections.
Source:
Commonwealth Expert Team on the Maldives 2009 Parliamentary Elections, p. 22: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/files/210207/FileName/CommonwealthSecretariatMaldivesPeople%27sMajlis%28Parliamentary%29ElectionsReportoftheCommonwealthExpertTeam-9May2009.pdf (2013)
Presidential Elections Act (2008): https://www.elections.gov.mv/en/core/downloads/Presidential%20Elections%20Act%20final(28th%20sep%202008).pdf
|
2019/02/13
|
|
Mali
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
e. As agreed by special committee
|
Source:
Monsieur Omar Kamian, Loi N° 93-001 et règlement intérieur du Comité National d'Egal Accès aux Média d'Etat
Verified by Mamadou Seck, Forum Civil, [email protected], 2008-02-20
|
2008/03/28
|
|
Malta
|
c. Based on result of previous election
g. Other (specify)
|
c, d) Applies to free broadcast time on state television and radio.
g) New political parties are given free broadcast time on an ad hoc basis.
Source:
International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
|
2012/05/22
|
|
Marshall Islands
|
g. Other (specify)
|
There are no provisions for the allocation of free broadcast or advertisement, but in the 2007 general election, the government owned radio station provided 15 minute allocations to the candidates.
Source:
Report of the Pacific Islands Forum Election Observer Team to the Republic of the Marshall Islands' Nitijela (Parliamentary) Elections (2007). (https://www.forumsec.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Forum-election-observation-report-RMI-2007.pdf)
|
2023/10/12
|
|
Martinique
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
e. As agreed by special committee
|
d) The criteria for allocating free broadcast time to political parties depend on the nature of the election. For European and legislative elections, the free broadcast time is allocated to each political party depends on whether it is represented in Parliament. Electoral code, L.167-1 + loi du 7 juillet 1977 relative à l'élection des représentants au Parlement européen. For the presidential election, all candidates are allocated equal free broadcast time; e) Le Conseil supérieur de l'audivisuel
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/14
|
|
Mauritania
|
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
|
Equal airtime on Radio and Television is available free of charge to every recognized political party. This time is allocated in proportion to the number of candidates.
Source:
Decree No. 91-141 of 13 November 1991 regulating the procedures for the conduct of the elections and specifying the organization of elections of deputies to the National Assembly, art. 22
|
2024/10/28
|
|
Mauritius
|
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
c. Based on result of previous election
|
Formal political broadcasts accessible through the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) are well codified and time allocations are worked out in consultation with stakeholders. Time allocation is based on two criteria, namely the number of seats held in the outgoing parliament and the number of candidates fielded.
Source:
Rouikaya Kasenally (2009): "Chapter 8: Mauritius" Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa 1989-2009: 20 Years of Multiparty Democracy, EISA, Johannesburg, 284.
|
2012/02/25
|
|
Mayotte
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
e. As agreed by special committee
|
d)The criteria for allocating free broadcast time to political parties depend on the nature of the election. For European and legislative elections, the free broadcast time is allocted to each political party depends on whether it is represented in Parliament. Electoral code, L.167-1 + loi du 7 juillet 1977 relative à l'élection des représentants au Parlement européen. For the presidential election, all candidates are allocated equal free broadcast time. e) Le Conseil supérieur de l'audivisuel
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/19
|
|
Mexico
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
c. Based on result of previous election
g. Other (specify)
|
The same proportionality formula for direct public funding is used: 30 percent equally and 70 percent according to the number of votes obtained in the previous Lower Chamber election.
Source:
Constitution: "Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos", art. 41(III): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-constitucion-2024/ ;
Electoral Law: "Ley General de Instituciones y Procedimientos Electorales", arts. 159, 167: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/MX/mexico-lgipe-2024/
|
2024/04/12
|
|
Micronesia, Federated States of
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
National Election Code, Ch. 1, Sect. 109:
(1) If any broadcast or print media, either public or private, permits a candidate in a National Election, or his or her supporters, to use its facilities or publications, it shall afford access on an equal basis to all opposing candidates, or their supporters, without censorship. No obligation is imposed under this section upon any broadcast or print media to allow the use of its facilities or publications by any candidate in a National Election. Appearance by, or mention of, a candidate in any bona fide news story or interview shall not be deemed to be use of a broadcast facility or publication within the meaning of this section.
(2) All broadcast and print media carrying campaign advertisements shall clearly identify each campaign advertisement and shall indicate the candidate, or supporters of the candidate, responsible for the advertisement.
(3) No broadcast or print media shall permit use of its facilities or publications by any candidate in a National Election, or his or her supporters, on Election Day.
Source:
The National Election Code, Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 109: http://www.fsmlaw.org/fsm/code/title09/T9_Ch1_2014.html#109
|
2025/03/28
|
|
Moldova, Republic of
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
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.
|
2019/02/18
|
|
Monaco
|
h. No information available
|
Source:
Law No. 1299 of 15 July 2005 on freedom of expression;
Law 839 regulating communal and national elections, as amended;
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Report on the observation of the legislative elections in Monaco (2008): http://assembly.coe.int/mainf.asp?Link=/documents/workingdocs/doc08/fdoc11535.htm (2012)
|
2023/09/13
|
|
Mongolia
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
82.2 Public radio and television shall broadcast campaign programs on a schedule and time allotment set by the central election authority for each party, coalition or presidential candidate participating in the election free of charge only.
82.3 The central election authority shall approve a schedule and time allotment for free campaign programs to be broadcast over the public radio and television ensuring that equal time is allocated for each party, coalition or presidential candidate within at least 5 days prior to the launch of the election campaign.
Source:
Electoral Law of 2016, Art. 82: https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7739/file/Mongolia_law_elections_2015_am2016_en.pdf
|
2020/02/17
|
|
Montenegro
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Art. 50: As of the date of candidate list validation, until completion of the election campaign (hereinafter referred to as the election campaign), candidate list submitting entities shall be entitled to inform citizens of their candidates, programmes and activities on a daily basis, in equal duration and free of charge, through the national public broadcaster Radio and
Television of Montenegro, as well as through regional and local public broadcasters, within the same daily timeslots and topical coverage of news-stories.
Art. 53: During the election campaign, the Radio and Television of Montenegro, regional and local public broadcasters shall ensure free of charge and equal broadcasting of announcements of all promotional rallies of candidate lists submitting entities, on a daily basis, of equal duration and as part of the same timeslots, within commercial marketing blocks whose audibility and visibility are ensured in the entire territory of Montenegro or local government unit.
Source:
Electoral Law: Law on the Election of Councillors and Representatives as amended in 2016, art. 50, 53 and 53a.
https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/7743/file/Montenegro_Law_elections_councillors_members_of_parliament_1998_am2016_en.pdf
|
2021/12/24
|
|
Morocco
|
c. Based on result of previous election
|
Le temps consacré par les médias publics engagés dans la campagne électorale officielle est réparti en quotas entre les partis participant aux élections. Ces quotas, déterminés par décret, sont fixés sur la base de la représentativité des partis politiques dans les deux Chambres du Parlement (HACA). Airtime given to each of the political actors is calculated according to their level of representation, i.e., 50% of the airtime is reserved for political parties having their own group in the Chamber of representatives or Councillors, 30% is allocated to parties represented in one of the two Chambers but not having enough members to constitute a group and the remaining 20% is shared between candidates / alliances not represented in one of the two Chambers (CoE).
Source:
Le rôle de la Haute Autorité de la Communication Audiovisuelle dans la gestion du pluralisme d’expression politique dans les radios et les télévisions
en période électorale (2021): https://www.haca.ma/sites/default/files/upload/Brochure_%C3%A9lections_2021_FR.pdf; Council of Europe, Information Report on municipal and regional elections in the Kingdom of Morocco 8 September 2021 (2022): https://search.coe.int/congress/pages/result_details.aspx?objectid=0900001680a5ae69
|
2022/08/02
|
|
Mozambique
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
During an electoral period political parties running for the elections have
the right to receive equal and regular airtime on the national radio and television.
Source:
Law No. 8/2013 of 27 February 2013 regulating presidential and legislative elections (as amended by Law No. 12/2014), art. 21, 31, 34: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/MZ/Mozambique-Law-No.-12-2014-of-13-April-2014/view (2014);
National Electoral Commission, Regulation n.º 60/CNE/2014 on the Distribution of Free Broadcast Time, art. 12: http://www.stae.org.mz/Deliberacoes2014/CNE-%20Del%2060%20Regulamemto%20Tempo%20Antena%202014.pdf (2014).
|
2014/10/13
|
|
Namibia
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
c. Based on result of previous election
|
The Communications Commission Act. The Act instructs that 60% of free public service campaign coverage on radio and television be divided proportionally according to party representation in the National Assembly. The remaining 40% should be shared equally by all political parties contesting the elections.
Source:
EISA Electoral Observer Mission: Presidential and National Assembly Elections 15-16 November 2004 Report, 21-22, [www] http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/namomr04.pdf
|
2012/02/25
|
|
Nauru
|
h. No information available
|
No provisions for free broadcast time or printed advertisement in Constitution or Electoral Law.
Source:
Constitution 1968; Electoral Act 2019.
|
2019/07/10
|
|
Nepal
|
i. Not applicable
|
There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
|
2018/04/06
|
|
Netherlands
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Parliamentary parties are allocated free airtime in the public media on an annual basis, on an equal approach for all. In addition, during the campaign, parties that submit candidate lists in at least 19 out of 20 electoral districts get additional free airtime, also on an equal basis.
Source:
OSCE ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report, The Netherlands Parliamentary Elections 17 March 2021 (9)
https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/4/0/478501.pdf
|
2022/08/02
|
|
New Caledonia
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
e. As agreed by special committee
|
d)The criteria for allocating free broadcast time to political parties depend on the nature of the election. For European and legislative elections, the free broadcast time is allocted to each political party depends on whether it is represented in Parliament. Electoral code, L.167-1 + loi du 7 juillet 1977 relative à l'élection des représentants au Parlement européen. For the presidential election, all candidates are allocated equal free broadcast time.
e) Le Conseil supérieur de l'audivisuel
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/19
|
|
New Zealand
|
g. Other (specify)
|
Free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space is not allocated to political parties. For the purpose of a general election (or by-election), broadcasters may broadcast an election programme only if they are paid (or for a fee pertaining to by-elections). The money for election programme broadcasting must come from the money allocated to a party or group of political parties by the Electoral Commission under section 79.
Source:
Broadcasting Act 1989, Part 6, Art. 70, 79:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1989/0025/latest/whole.html?search=ts_act_broadcasting_resel (2017);
|
2024/09/03
|
|
Nicaragua
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The Supreme Electoral Council allocates 30 minutes per day in each public television station and 45 minutes per day in each public radio station to political parties or coalitions that have nominated candidates. This broadcast time is distributed to political parties on an equal basis.
Source:
Electoral Law No. 331: “Ley Electoral No. 331 (enmendada por la ley No. 790 del 23/05/2012)”, art. 90:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/NI/leyes-electorales/nicaragua-ley-no.-331-ley-electoral-2012/ (2016).
|
2016/06/07
|
|
Niger
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
During the election period, all political parties presenting candidates for elections have free and equal access to public media.
Source:
Rapport final, élections législatives et présidentielle, EUOM (2011), p.25: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/NE/niger-raport-final-elections-legislatives-et/
|
2017/02/07
|
|
Nigeria
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
At any public electronic media, equal airtime shall be allotted to all political
parties or candidates during prime times at similar hours each day, subject to
the payment of appropriate fees. At any public print media, equal coverage and conspicuity shall be allotted
to all political parties.
Source:
Electoral Act 2010, art. 100 (3, 4, 5, 6): http://www.inecnigeria.org/downloads/?did=5 (2013)
|
2015/03/30
|
|
Niue
|
h. No information available
|
No provisions for free printed advertisement.
|
2014/06/23
|
|
Northern Mariana Islands
|
i. Not applicable
|
Source:
https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/public_laws/12/pl12-18.pdf
|
2024/12/11
|
|
Norway
|
h. No information available
|
There are no legal provisions concerning free broadcast time/free printed advertisement. The television companies and the newspapers regulate these topics themselves. Traditionally the largest parties will be given more broadcast time and more advertisement space than smaller parties.
Source:
OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Report on Norwegian Parliamentary Elections (14 September 2009): http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/norway/40529 (2012)
|
2012/05/22
|
|
Oman
|
i. Not applicable
|
Only independent candidates compete in legislative elections. There are no political parties.
Source:
Basic Statute of the State, as amended by Royal Decree No. 99/2011: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Oman_2011.pdf?lang=en
ROYAL DECREE NO. 86/97 On the Formation of The Council of Oman: http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/83508/92277/F2092950230/OMN83508.pdf (1997)
|
2025/05/12
|
|
Pakistan
|
i. Not applicable
|
No print, electronic or digital media shall run campaigns of candidates and political parties at the cost of the public exchequer.
Source:
Code of Conduct for National Media 2023: https://ecp.gov.pk/storage/files/3/CODE%20OF%20CONDUCT%20FOR%20NATIONAL%20MEDIA.pdf
|
2024/02/05
|
|
Palau
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Pursuant to the discretion of the discretion of the Electoral Commission, each candidate may have equal access to government broadcast facilities. If equal access to all candidates cannot be provided, then no candidate shall have access to government broadcast facilities. (Not specified whether the access is free or not.)
Source:
Voting Rights Act of 1981, as amended, Sec. 1546. (23 PNCA §1546)
|
2016/11/04
|
|
Palestine
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The Commission shall, in coordination with the official Palestinian media, prepare a special program stating times and dates designated for free and unpaid advertising for all candidates and electoral lists in the elections. All candidates and electoral lists shall be given equal and appropriate opportunities.
Source:
Elections Law 2 September 2007 regulating general elections, art. 65: http://www.elections.ps/Portals/0/pdf/Election_Law_%282007-Sept_02%29-EN.pdf (2013)
|
2013/04/09
|
|
Panama
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Source:
Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Panamá”, art. 140: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-2004
Electoral Code: “Código Electoral”, art. 110 (14), 253: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PA/panama-codigo-electoral-2023/
|
2024/12/05
|
|
Papua New Guinea
|
i. Not applicable
|
There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source:
Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olonalge519/(2017);
Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates 2003: http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/olotioppac2003542/ (2017);
Official Website of the Electoral Commission of Papua New Guinea: http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ (2017)
|
2017/03/16
|
|
Paraguay
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Only during the ten days before the closing of the electoral campaign, that is, two days before voting day.
Source:
Electoral Law: Código Electoral Paraguayo (Ley 834/96), art. 301 & 302:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PY/paraguay-codigo-electoral-2014/ (2014)
|
2023/03/16
|
|
Peru
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
c. Based on result of previous election
|
Half of the total time available is distributed equally among all political parties that have nominated candidates. The other half is distributed in proportion to the representation that each political party has in Congress. Political parties participating for the first time in an election are allocated equal time to the party with the lowest representation in the Congress.
Source:
Electoral Law: “Ley 26859, orgánica de elecciones”, art. 194: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PE/peru-ley-26859-organica-elecciones-2019/ ;
Law on Political Parties: “Ley 28094, de organizaciones políticas”, arts. 37 & 38: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PE/peru-ley-28094-orgs-pp-2019/
|
2020/01/28
|
|
Philippines
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding the sale of air time for partisan political purposes during the campaign period to insure that equal time as to duration and quality is available to all candidates for the same office or political parties at the same rates or given free of charge.
These rules are promulgated in COMELEC Resolution No. 9615.
Source:
The Omnibus Election Code ("Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, s. 1985"), Sec. 86: http://www.comelec.gov.ph/?r=References/RelatedLaws/OmnibusElectionCode/OECArt10 (2016);
COMELEC Resolution No. 9615 implementing the Fair Election Act in connection to the general elections of May 2013: https://comelec.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/com_res_9615.pdf (2016)
|
2016/05/12
|
|
Pitcairn Islands
|
h. No information available
|
|
2019/11/06
|
|
Poland
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
g. Other (specify)
|
An election committee has the right to free broadcasting of electoral programs through public radio and television broadcasters:
1) nationwide - if they register their lists of candidates in at least half of the constituencies;
2) regional - if the registered list of candidates in at least one electoral district.
Source:
Election Code: Act of 5 January 2011 on Election Code to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland and to the Senate of the Republic of Poland, article 252: https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/documents/40/POL_Election%20Code.pdf
|
2024/11/13
|
|
Portugal
|
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
|
Article 63 (1):
The broadcasting times reserved by Radiotelevisão Portuguesa, S.A., by private television stations, by Radiodifusão Portuguesa, S.A. linked to all its broadcasters, and by private radio stations with a national scope shall be allocated proportionately to those political parties and coalitions which have put forward at least twenty-five per cent of the total number of candidates and are running in the same percentage of the total number of constituencies.
Source:
Law governing Elections to the Assembly of the Republic, Article 63(1):
https://www.parlamento.pt/sites/EN/Parliament/Documents/LeiEleitoralARen.pdf
|
2024/10/10
|
|
Puerto Rico
|
i. Not applicable
|
Radio and television stations owned by the Government shall not be used by any party for political-partisan purposes. The law not foresees free broadcast time, only paid advertising on equal terms.
Source:
Political Financing Law: “Ley para la fiscalización del financiamiento de campaña política en Puerto Rico”: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PR/puerto-rico-ley-222-2011-fiscalizacion-financiamiento-politico-58-2020/
|
2020/11/03
|
|
Qatar
|
i. Not applicable
|
There are no political parties in Qatar.
Source:
Constitution: https://www.gco.gov.qa/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/permanent_constitution_state_qatar_en.pdf
|
2025/05/08
|
|
Romania
|
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
|
Article 38: (1) The political parties, political alliances, electoral alliances, organisations of citizens belonging to national minorities participating in the elections under the terms of the present title, and the independent candidates shall have free of charge access to the radio and television public services proportionally to the number of candidatures forwarded and remained final.
Source:
Electoral Law: Law No. 35 of 13 March 2008 for the election to the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, art. 38(1)
https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/4224/file/ROM%20Election%20Laws_en.pdf
|
2020/08/24
|
|
Russian Federation
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
|
13. The airtime provided free of charge for placement of campaign materials of political parties and candidates shall be distributed (if available), respectively, among all political parties, all registered candidates equally.
Source:
Federal Law On Elections of Deputies to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, amended as of April, 5, 2016, art. 65: https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/documents/34/Law%20on%20Parliamentary%20Elections%20of%20the%20Russian%20Federation%20as%20of%20February%202014.pdf
|
2024/03/25
|
|
Rwanda
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The High Council of Media shall ensure that equal access to State media is guaranteed to all independent candidates, political organisations and coalitions of political organisations in competition.
Source:
Loi organique n°03/2010/OL et loi n°27/2010 relative aux élections (2010), art. 67: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/RW/rwanda-organic-law-nb0-17-2003-of-07-07-2003/
|
2017/03/03
|
|
Réunion
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
e. As agreed by special committee
|
d)The criteria for allocating free broadcast time to political parties depend on the nature of the election. For European and legislative elections, the free broadcast time is allocated to each political party depends on whether it is represented in Parliament. Electoral code, L.167-1 + loi du 7 juillet 1977 relative à l'élection des représentants au Parlement européen. For the presidential election, all candidates are allocated equal free broadcast time; e) Le Conseil supérieur de l'audivisuel
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/14
|
|
Saint Helena
|
h. No information available
|
Source:
Carol George, Office of the Chief Secretary, Saint Helena
|
2007/01/19
|
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis
|
h. No information available
|
There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
|
2020/04/27
|
|
Saint Lucia
|
h. No information available
|
There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source:
International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
|
2013/07/16
|
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
|
h. No information available
|
There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
|
2021/12/27
|
|
Samoa
|
h. No information available
|
|
2021/04/10
|
|
San Marino
|
g. Other (specify)
|
g) As agreed by candidates, under the coordination of the State Secretariat of Interior
Source:
Codification of provisions for the regulation of electoral campaigns, Art. 7 (Art. 22 of Law 1/2007 as it has been amended by art. 9 of Law 1/2008)
|
2012/05/28
|
|
Sao Tome and Principe
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Free broadcast time on public radio and television is distributed by the National Electoral Commission equally to all candidates during the electoral campaign.
Source:
Electoral Law of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe n.º 11/90 of 26 November 1990, as amended (latest amendment - 2006), art. 85, 94, 95, 96: http://www.stj.st/download/Lei_Eleitoral.pdf (2016)
|
2016/06/28
|
|
Saudi Arabia
|
i. Not applicable
|
Source:
Shura Council Law: http://www.shura.gov.sa/wps/wcm/connect/ShuraEn/internet/Laws+and+Regulations/The+Shura+Council+and+the+rules+and+regulations+job/Shura+Council+Law/ (2012);
The Basic Law of Governance: http://www.boe.gov.sa/ViewSystemDetails.aspx?lang=en&SystemID=4 (2012)
|
2012/08/20
|
|
Senegal
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
c. Based on result of previous election
|
Air time available to candidates is divided into two (02) fractions whose quota is determined by the media regulatory body: A fraction of the time divided equally between all political parties, coalition of political parties or independent persons representing the lists of candidates; A fraction of airtime allocated proportionally taking to account the parliamentary representation of political parties with presented lists of candidates.
Source:
Electoral Code 2012, art. LO.182, LO.129: http://www.elections2012.sn/images/stories/CE2012.pdf (2017)
|
2024/10/25
|
|
Serbia
|
g. Other (specify)
|
Article 144
Per two representatives of the national public service media, the government and
political parties that have MPs shall determine the number and duration of program items for
the presentation of the submitters of the proclaimed electoral lists.
The agreement on the number and duration of program items for the presentation of
the submitters of the proclaimed electoral lists shall be concluded no later than five days from
the day when the decision on calling elections came into force and shall be published on the
website without delay.
National public service media, with the participation of representatives of the
Government, political parties that have MPs and submitters of proclaimed electoral lists, shall
determine rules for the presentation of submitters of proclaimed electoral lists, election
programs and MP candidates.
Source:
Legal Framework: Serbia: Law on Election of Members of Parliament (2022), art. 144.
https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/RS/serbia-law-on-elections-of-representatives-updated/view
|
2022/10/15
|
|
Seychelles
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
In allocating free broadcasting time, the Electoral Commission shall allocate to each registered political party equal broadcasting time; and to each candidate equal broadcasting time. (Elections Act Chapter 68A (1996), Section 97)
Source:
Elections Act Chapter 68A (1996), Section 97
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/SC/seychelles-electoral-act-1996/view
https://seylii.org/akn/sc/act/1995/17/eng@2014-12-01#part_V__sec_97
Elections Act (2014) Art. 97:
(2) In allocating free broadcasting time under subsection (1), the Electoral Commission shall allocate
(i) to each registered political party equal broadcasting time; and
(ii) to each candidate equal broadcasting time.
|
2025/03/03
|
|
Sierra Leone
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The management of the national radio or television shall, during an election campaign period, ensure that equal air time is given to each candidate and each political party on the national radio and television. (The Public Elections Act, art. 156)
Source:
The Public Elections Act (2012), art. 156 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/SL/sierra-leone-the-public-elections-act-2012-1/
|
2017/01/16
|
|
Singapore
|
h. No information available
|
Source:
Parliamentary Elections Act: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/SG/singapore-parliamentary-elections-act-2011/view (2017)
|
2017/03/24
|
|
Slovakia
|
h. No information available
|
Not applicable since the time which is allocated for election campaign to political parties by Slovak Television, Slovak Radio and licensed broadcaster is not free but paid. Otherwise the allocation is equal regardless of size of political party and previous performance.
Source:
Act On Elections to the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Section 15 & 24: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/SK/slovakia-municipalities-election-law-1990/view
|
2024/10/25
|
|
Slovenia
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
|
Art. 12:
(1) During election campaigns, RTV Slovenia shall provide a portion of programme time for the presentation of candidates, political parties and their manifestoes free of charge. In determining the time and formulation of the content of such broadcasts, RTV Slovenia shall be bound to adhere to the principle referred to in Article 4 of this Act.
(2) The time devoted to the presentation of candidates and political parties represented in the National Assembly and European Parliament shall be the same for all, and equally the conditions governing their presentation as part of pre-election broadcasts shall also be the same.
(3) Political parties and independent candidates that are not represented in the National Assembly or European Parliament must have at their disposal a total of one-third of the total time determined by RTV Slovenia for all political parties and candidates participating in the elections. RTV
Slovenia shall enable presentations for these parties and candidates
within the framework of special pre-election presentations intended for them in separate slots from the broadcasts referred to in the preceding paragraph, such that each of these parties and each independent candidate shall be afforded mutually equal representation.
(4) RTV Slovenia shall ensure equal time and conditions for their presentations for candidates for President of the Republic.
(5) Within 15 days of the announcement of elections for President of the Republic, elections for the National Assembly, the European Parliament and local elections, RTV Slovenia shall announce the method, form, extent and conditions for the presentation of candidates, political parties and their
manifestoes referred to in the first paragraph of this Article on its channels, in daily newspapers or in some other way accessible to the public
Source:
The Radio and Television Corporation of Slovenia Act, art. 12.
https://www.rtvslo.si/files/RTV_Slovenija/zrtvs_1.pdf
|
2017/03/30
|
|
Solomon Islands
|
i. Not applicable
|
No free broadcast time or free printed advertisement are allocated to political parties.
Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group 2014, p.14: The Group was informed that the SIBC was not required to allocate free airtime to candidates. Further the Group recommended provision be made for free and equal campaign-related access to public broadcasters for all candidates.
Source:
National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act (2010 Consolidated Version): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-national-parliament-electoral-3/view (2019).
Political Parties Integrity Act No. 9 of 2014: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/SB/solomon-islands-political-parties-integrity-act/view (2019).
Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group, 2014 p. 14, http://thecommonwealth.org/sites/default/files/news-items/documents/2014%20Solomon%20Islands%20COG%20Report%20-%20FINAL.pdf
|
2019/03/01
|
|
Somalia
|
i. Not applicable
|
Source:
Transitional Constitution of 2012:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/SO/somalia-provisional-constitution-of-2012/view
|
2016/11/25
|
|
South Africa
|
g. Other (specify)
|
Airtime in respect to party election broadcast shall be allocated by the Authority to the various parties contesting the national and provincial elections on the basis of the respective formulae set out in schedule A.
Source:
Party Elections Broadcasts and Political Advertisements Regulations, Article 5: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZA/south-africa-party-elections-broadcasts-and/view
|
2014/05/01
|
|
South Sudan
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The Commission shall issue regulations on equal access and usage of public media for any candidate and Political Party participating in an election.
Source:
National Elections Act 2012, art. 89(3): https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/SS/south-sudan-the-national-elections-act-no.-39-of/view
|
2021/06/02
|
|
Spain
|
c. Based on result of previous election
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
e. As agreed by special committee
f. Based on size of legislative caucus
|
Ten minutes for parties, federations, and coalitions that did not participate or did not obtain representation in the previous equivalent elections.
Fifteen minutes for parties, federations, and coalitions that obtained representation in the previous equivalent elections but did not reach 5% of the total valid votes cast in the national territory or, where applicable, in the constituencies referred to in Article 62.
Thirty minutes for parties, federations, and coalitions that obtained representation in the previous equivalent elections and reached between 5% and 20% of the total votes.
Forty-five minutes for parties, federations, and coalitions that obtained representation in the previous equivalent elections and reached at least 20% of the total votes.
The right to the free broadcast times listed above only applies to those parties, federations, or coalitions that present candidacies in more than 75% of the constituencies within the scope of dissemination or, where applicable, programming of the corresponding medium.
Based on result of previous election: Article 64 specifies that the distribution of free broadcast time is based on the number of votes obtained in the previous equivalent elections. Parties, federations, and coalitions are allocated time according to their performance in past elections.
As agreed by special committee: Article 65 mentions that the distribution of free broadcast time is proposed by a Commission of Radio and Television, which is under the direction of the Junta Electoral Central. This commission includes representatives from each party, federation, or coalition with representation in the Congress of Deputies.
Based on mixture of principles: The allocation also considers the number of candidates put forward in the present elections (Article 64.2), requiring parties to present candidacies in more than 75% of the constituencies within the scope of dissemination or programming of the medium.
Source:
Electoral Law 5/1985 of 19 June: "Ley Orgánica del Régimen Electoral General", arts. 61, 64, 65 & 67:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/ES/espana-ley-organica-5-1985-de-19-de-junio-del-1/
|
2025/04/03
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
g. Other (specify)
|
In the allocation of broadcasting time to any recognized political party or independent group which makes an application in that behalf, the Director-General of Broadcasting shall ensure that each party or group shall be permitted to use
(a) in the case of radio broadcasting, a total period not exceeding forty-five minutes which may be used on one occasion or on not more than three occasions and each such occasion shall not exceed fifteen minutes ;
(b) in the case of television broadcasting, a total period not exceeding forty-five minutes which may be used on one occasion or on not more than three occasions and each such occasion shall not exceed fifteen minutes.
The order in which each recognized political party or independent group shall use the broadcasting facilities shall be determined
(a) in the first instance by agreement among such parties and groups ; or
(b) in the absence of such agreement by lots cast or drawn in such manner as the Director-General of Broadcasting may, in his absolute discretion, determine
Source:
Parliamentary Election Act (No.1 1981), Art. 126
|
2012/06/14
|
|
Sudan
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
e. As agreed by special committee
|
The Rules shall specify the measures to guarantee the rights of all candidates and political parties participating in an election in the use of public media on the basis of equality and equal opportunities, and to prevent any kind of discrimination between them in the coverage of the electoral campaign news. The Commission shall, together with the public media means and in consultation with all political parties participating in the elections, prepare a comprehensive programme to guarantee the equal use of such means by all parties for the purposes of their electoral campaign.
Source:
The National Elections Act 2008, art. 66, 69: http://www.gurtong.org/ResourceCenter/documents/Reports/Elections-09/nationalelectionsact2008.pdf (2012)
|
2012/09/04
|
|
Suriname
|
h. No information available
|
|
2025/03/28
|
|
Swaziland
|
h. No information available
i. Not applicable
|
Political parties are banned in Swaziland.
Source:
Proclamation No 7 of 12 April 1973.
|
2012/02/24
|
|
Sweden
|
i. Not applicable
|
Sweden does not allocate any free broadcast time or free printed advertisement to political parties.
Source:
OSCE/ODIHR NEEDS Assessment mission report - General Elections of 19 September 2010: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/70947 (2012)
|
2014/08/04
|
|
Switzerland
|
i. Not applicable
|
i) Political propaganda on radio and television is not permitted. Political parties are not entitled to free media access. It is prohibited to advertise political parties, persons holding public office or candidate for public office and objects of popular votes.
Source:
Federal Law of 24 March 2006, regulating radio and television, Art. 10: http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/784_40/index.html (2014)
|
2025/03/28
|
|
Syrian Arab Republic
|
h. No information available
|
|
2014/06/03
|
|
Taiwan
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
In the nationwide and overseas legistators part of the Legislative Yuan election, the candidates political party can submit advertisement campaign videos to the CEC. After review, the CEC will purchase advertisement time slots, equally allocating time to each political party.
Source:
Official Website of the Central Election Commission: http://engweb.cec.gov.tw/files/11-1030-3861.php (2012);
International Committee for Fair Elections in Taiwan, Report on the National Election in Taiwan, January 14, 2012: http://www.taiwanelections.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Taiwan-2012-Elections-IEOM-Final-Report.pdf (2012)
|
2020/04/13
|
|
Tajikistan
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Equal conditions of access to Mass Media are guaranteed to candidates and political parties.
State authority bodies of the Republic of Tajikistan render support the registered political party:
-providing the equal access to state mass media;
-ensuring equality of opportunities for holding election campaigns.
Source:
Constitutional Law On Elections to the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, amended as of July 26, 2014, article 39.
|
2025/02/18
|
|
Tanzania, United Republic of
|
e. As agreed by special committee
|
The National Electoral Commission shall after consultations with the candidates, political parties concerned and the officers responsible for the public media, coordinate the use of the broadcasting rights.
Source:
The National Elections Act 2010, art. 53: http://www.unisa.ac.za/contents/faculties/law/docs/National_Elections_Act-.pdf(2013);
|
2015/10/26
|
|
Thailand
|
f. Based on size of legislative caucus
|
The Registrar shall allocate airtime to every political party which has a candidate elected as a member of the House of Representatives. In allocating such airtime, consideration will be given to the number of each political party’s members in the House of Representatives, in order that each political party may report its activities not less than twice a year free of charge under the rules and procedures prescribed by the Election Commission.
Source:
Organic Act on Political Parties B.E. 2550, Art. 79: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/asia/TH/thailand-organic-act-on-political-parties-b.e./at_download/file
|
2023/10/11
|
|
Timor-Leste
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
During the campaign period, radio stations and television reserve equal airtime for candidates, political parties and party coalitions. If two parties request the same time slot, there will be a random lottery to decide who gets the specific time slot.
Source:
Regulation n.º 03/STAE/X/2011 on the electoral campaign for presidential and parliamentary elections, articles 18, 19, 20: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/TL/timor-leste-regulation-no-03-stae-x-2011-on-the/view
|
2024/11/14
|
|
Togo
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Any candidate or list of candidates has equal access to official means of communication and information in accordance with the procedures and conditions determined by the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication.
Source:
Electoral Code No. 2000-07 as amended, art. 94, 186: http://www.ifes.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Election%20Law/2005/IFES_19/EL00062.pdf (2013)
|
2013/01/10
|
|
Tonga
|
e. As agreed by special committee
|
For the purpose of promoting fairness and equal opportunities for all candidates and to prevent abuses, the Electoral Commission shall regulate the use of radio, television, newspaper, internet and other political notices, reports, appeals and advertising during the election period.
Source:
Electoral Commission Act 2010, Art. 10 (2 k)
http://www.tongaelections.com/images/stories/TECdocuments/ENG/ElectoralCommissionAct/electoralcommissionact2010_1.pdf (2014)
|
2014/11/21
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago
|
i. Not applicable
|
There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source:
Electoral Law: “Representation of the People Act”: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/TT/trinidad-and-tobago-rop-2016/
|
2020/08/22
|
|
Tunisia
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
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The Independent High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HAICA) guarantees the right of access to means of audiovisual communication to all political groups during the campaign period on the basis of equality and plurality.
For legislative elections, the allocation of airtime on public media is proportional to the number of candidates put forward by each candidate list. For presidential elections, airtime is distributed equally.
Source:
Organic Law n° 2014-16 of 26 May 2014 on Elections and Referenda, art. 65: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/TN/tunisia-organic-law-on-elections-and-referenda/view (2014);
Decision n° 2014-25 of 8 September 2014 of the Independent High Authority for Elections laying down the rules and general requirements for the media during the electoral campaign, art. 9.
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2019/08/05
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Turkey
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d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
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Political parties which take part in the election may conduct electioneering activities on radio and television after the 7th day in advance of the election day until 18:00 hours on the day before the election day, provided that the provisions in private laws are reserved.
Political parties shall be given the following electioneering rights: a) two speeches not more than 10 minutes on the first 10 days and the last day to explain their programs and projects, b) an additional 10 minute for political parties having a group in the Grand National Assembly, c) an additional electioneering time of 20 minutes for the party having the political power or the larger one of the parties sharing the power and additional 15 minutes for other parties holding the power
Political parties may also conduct visualised electioneering activities provided that the time used for such activities does not exceed half of electioneering times. Visualised electioneering shall be prepared by producers other than TRT (Turkish Radio & Television Institution). Visualised electioneering is for explaining the activities which have been and will be performed by political parties. Such electioneering shall not include any image to constitute an offence. Such electioneering of political parties shall not be less than two minutes at a time nor shall its total time within a day be more than ten minutes. Political parties may exercise their visualised electioneering rights in more than one channel of TRT. The Supreme Board of Elections shall determine the period of time in which the images shall be delivered to TRT and the times of broadcast of such electioneering by TRT depending on the availability of TRT. If such images contain a matter constituting an offence, the Supreme Board of Elections shall not allow the images be broadcast.
Political parties shall, in their first speeches through the radio and television make their election declarations. Speeches shall be broadcast simultaneously through all radio and television stations in Turkey. The day and time of electioneering speeches through radio and television and the parties to deliver speech shall be announced in advance through news programs by Turkish Radio and Television.
The Supreme Board of Elections and Turkish Radio and Television shall provide that electioneering through radio and television shall be made equitably and impartially.
Source:
Law on Basic Provisions on Elections and Voter Registers, art. 52
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2014/08/04
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Turkmenistan
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
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Political parties which have gone through state registration shall have the right to use the state media on equal conditions.
Source:
Law of Turkmenistan on Political Parties (2012), art. 23 (7), 29 (1)
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2013/03/06
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Turks and Caicos Islands
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i. Not applicable
|
There is no allocation of such spaces.
Source:
Political Parties’ Law: “Political Activities Ordinance”: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/TC/turks-and-caicos-political-activities-ordinance-2018/
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2020/10/08
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Tuvalu
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h. No information available
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There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source:
Hassall, Graham (2006): The Tuvalu General Election 2006, Democracy and Elections Project (Governance Program), University of the South Pacific, Fiji. (http://www.governance.usp.ac.fj/fileadmin/files/thematic/elections/docs/Hassall_-_Election_Observation_Report_Tuvalu_2006.pdf)
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2012/06/20
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Uganda
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
b. Based on number of candidates put forward in present elections
c. Based on result of previous election
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Source:
Parliamentary Elections Act as amended in 2010, art. 22 (1), 100 (2-d-ii);http://www.ec.or.ug/docs/parliamentary%20election%20Act%202005.pdf (2016);
Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, art. 67 (2): http://www.ec.or.ug/docs/Constitution_1995.pdf(2016)
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2016/02/29
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Ukraine
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
e. As agreed by special committee
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A party that has registered legislative candidates in the nationwide constituency, as well as a legislative candidate in a single-mandate constituency, shall have the right to use state-owned and municipal mass media on equal conditions, as determined by the Central Election Commission.
Source:
The Law on Elections of People's Deputies of Ukraine (last amended in 2019), art. 71 (1)
https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/en/4061-17
|
2019/03/12
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United Arab Emirates
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i. Not applicable
|
There are no political parties in the UAE.
Source:
Freedom House: https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/united-arab-emirates (2015).
|
2019/09/25
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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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e. As agreed by special committee
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The Broadcasters' Liaison Group was formed in 1997 and comprises of representatives of each of the broadcasters who make airtime available to registered political parties and to designated organisations in referendum campaigns.
Each broadcaster is responsible for deciding the allocations made available to a political party. However, through the BLG, broadcasters work together with the Electoral Commission to ensure a consistent approach.
Meetings of the BLG are chaired by the BBC's Chief Adviser, Politics.
The group meets from time to time to co-ordinate the criteria which each broadcaster applies in determining the amount of airtime to be made available.
Broadcasting opportunities made available to political parties fall into three categories:
Party Election Broadcasts (PEBs), which are offered to qualifying political parties, registered with the Electoral Commission, in the run-up to elections
Party Political Broadcasts (PPBs)
Ministerial Broadcasts, which, in exceptional circumstance, are offered to the government followed normally, by responses by the main opposition parties.
There is no free printed advertisement space allocated to political parties, but the postage is paid for each candidate to send out a mail-shot in the constituency they are standing in. The candidates, however, must pay for the cost of the printing of the mail-shot.
As required by section 11(3) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, this criteria for allocating party election broadcasts must be sent to the Electoral Commission for comment.
Source:
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, art. 11(3)
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/data.pdf
Official Website of the Broadcasters Liaison Group:(2015)
http://www.broadcastersliaisongroup.org.uk/
|
2025/06/23
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|
United States of America
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i. Not applicable
|
Free advertising/broadcasting opportunities may be given to candidates, but it is not guaranteed. The FCC Title 47 Code of Federal Regulations Section 73 says that candidates must be provided with the same low rates and better discounts as the station awards its "most favored commercial advertisers for the same classes and amounts of time for the same periods."
Source:
FCC Title 47 Code of Federal Regulations Section 73
https://www.fcc.gov/media/policy/statutes-and-rules-candidate-appearances-advertising
|
2020/10/21
|
|
Uruguay
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a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Applies to state-owned media.
Source:
Ley Nº 17.045 sobre Partidos Políticos que regulan la Publicidad Electoral, modificada por la Ley Nº 17.818, art. 1, 3, 4, 5: http://pdba.georgetown.edu/Parties/Uruguay/Leyes/Ley17045.pdf (2012)
|
2024/12/19
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|
Uzbekistan
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Article 46: During the campaign, equal conditions of access to the state media shall be ensured by providing the same amount of broadcasting and print space free of charge.
Source:
Election Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Chapter 9, Article 46: https://lex.uz/docs/4458857?ONDATE=26.06.2019
|
2024/08/22
|
|
Vanuatu
|
i. Not applicable
|
There are no provisions for either free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to be allocated to political parties.
Source:
Constitution; Representation of the People Act, as amended.
|
2025/04/03
|
|
Venezuela
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
e. As agreed by special committee
|
Source:
Electoral Branch Law: “Ley Orgánica del Poder Electoral”, art. 78: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/VE/leyes-electorales/venezuela-ley-organica-poder-electoral-2002/
|
2020/11/15
|
|
Viet Nam
|
i. Not applicable
|
Source:
Constitution of 1992 as amended, art. 4:
http://www.moj.gov.vn/vbpq/en/Lists/Vn%20bn%20php%20lut/View_Detail.aspx?ItemID=10450 (2016);
Law of 1997 on Election of Deputies to the National Assembly, as amended and supplemented by laws No. 31/2001/QH10 and No: 63/2010/QH12, art. 52, 53:
http://www.moj.gov.vn/vbpq/en/lists/vn%20bn%20php%20lut/view_detail.aspx?itemid=2526 (2016)
|
2016/06/20
|
|
Virgin Islands, British
|
h. No information available
|
|
2019/03/05
|
|
Virgin Islands, U.S.
|
h. No information available
|
|
2009/08/14
|
|
Wallis and Futuna
|
d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
e. As agreed by special committee
|
d)The criteria for allocating free broadcast time to political parties depend on the nature of the election. For European and legislative elections, the free broadcast time is allocted to each political party depends on whether it is represented in Parliament. Electoral code, L.167-1 + loi du 7 juillet 1977 relative à l'élection des représentants au Parlement européen. For the presidential election, all candidates are allocated equal free broadcast time. e) Le Conseil supérieur de l'audivisuel
Source:
Elections office, Ministry of Interior, France, [email protected]
|
2007/01/19
|
|
Western Sahara
|
h. No information available
|
|
2009/08/14
|
|
Yemen
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
The Supreme Committee shall regulate the use of the State-run media (i.e. radio, TV. and the press) by all running candidates on equal basis to enable them to present to the public their electoral programs.
Source:
General Elections and Referendum Law of 2001, art. 39: http://www.scer.org.ye/english/generalelectionslaw.htm (2012)
|
2012/08/22
|
|
Zambia
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
All public television and radio broadcasters shall allocate public air time equally to all political parties for their political broadcasts.
Source:
Electoral Law: Electoral (Code of Conduct) Regulations, art. 14.
http://www.elections.org.zm/media/electoral_code_of_conduct_2011.pdf (2016)
|
2016/06/28
|
|
Zanzibar
|
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
|
Every candidate for the office of the President of Zanzibar and political parties participating in an election shall have the right to use the state radio and television broadcasting service during the official period
of election campaign. The political parties involved in the General Elections shall be allocated equitable air time to broadcast their programmes through state radio and television.
Source:
Electoral Act No. 11 of 1984 as amended, art. 91A;
The Code of Conduct by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission for the 2010 General Elections
http://www.temco.udsm.ac.tz/images/stories/Electral_Laws/ZANZIBAR-ELECTION-ACT-2010.pdf (2016)
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZZ/zanzibar-code-of-conduct-for-state-owned-media-on/view (2016)
|
2016/04/05
|
|
Zimbabwe
|
h. No information available
|
Electoral Act provides that every party has the right to reasonable access to the media. There is, however, no legislation to give effect to this.
Source:
Electoral Law: Electoral Act, art. 3(c)(4).
https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4c46c1572.pdf
|
2023/09/25
|
