Media to be monitored during Presidential Election campaign

The Authority for Fair Competition and Consumer Protection along with the Press and Media Council of the General Election Commission has been authorized to take control for the upcoming Presidential Election campaigns.

The Council is to be a collection of representatives from professional press and media bodies and NGOs who will conduct observation on how law is obeyed by press and media over the Presidential Election period.

The budget for observation and monitoring to be conducted was approved by Parliament during a plenary session meeting.

The Council will regulate that if a press or media body violate the Presidential Election law during the period of the campaign it`s activity will be halted for at least three months.

According to the Presidential Election law no online or physical press should insult or release slanderous comments related to candidates during the period of the Presidential Election.

If the law is violated, fines will be imposed based on the minimum labor wage; to an individual 2-3 times, for a candidate or election campaign personnel 3-5 times, to a party or legal party 8-10 times the minimum labor wage.