Essential - A new law should regulate the new State-owned media in order to ensure a strict impartial coverage of electoral campaign and equal access to all candidates refraining from giving any unfair advantage to the incumbent. Furthermore new instruments should be introduced setting out the mandate and responsibilities of state owned broadcasters, and their independence from the authorities.
Addressed to - National Assembly.
Possible Improvements Suggested - To harmonize the new constitutional prohibition of all forms of privately financed publicity in electoral campaigns with the respect of freedom of expression.
EC Support/Projects - EC should be ready to offer legal and electoral expertise if requested by Ecuadorian authorities.
Timeline - Wishfully in one-year time, in the framework of the implementation of the new 2008 Constitution.