Candidates contesting in the Sept. 29 civil polls have been given 11 days from Sept. 18 to 28 for campaigning and they can use the Internet and social media for the purpose, said Abdul Rahman Al-Dahmash, chairman of the General Election Commission.
“The commission has not banned the candidates from using the Internet and electronic websites during their election campaign as long as they do not violate the general rules,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted Al-Dahmash as saying.
He said all candidates whose names have appeared in the final list have the right to conduct election campaigns after obtaining necessary permission from the local election committee. “They can prepare for their campaign before this period without advertising them in the media directly or indirectly,” he said.
Al-Dahmash said a candidate would have the right to appoint voters as his spokesmen during the election campaign. However, the candidate should register the spokesman’s name with the local committee before launching the campaign.
He said candidates could hold meetings, lectures and seminars to promote their election programs. “These events can be organized either in conference halls, exhibition centers or special tents,” the chairman said. “The commission wants to make sure all candidates get an opportunity to do their campaigning well.”
In a previous statement, the commission said it would not allow any illegal practices by candidates during their poll campaigns. “We have observed a number of illegal practices during the last election when some candidates formed alliances while others circulated a list of candidates on the basis of tribal affiliation and ideological inclinations,” the commission said.
Full Article: Civic poll candidates given 11 days to campaign – Arab News.
