The Media Policy Institute commented on the decision of the Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan to refuse accreditation of the eleven news agencies to take part in the election campaign on presidential elections of 2011. 24.kg news agency publishes the comments of the Media Policy Institute’s lawyer Aliya Abdraimova with abridgements.
According to her, “publication of the list of accredited mass media of KR (Kyrgyz Republic) for participation in the election campaign for the upcoming elections of the president of the country caused a stormy public debate, as one of the national information agency was not presented.”
“Reasonable question arises, whether participation of news agencies is legal in the election campaign despite the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC), and what are the consequences, if any of the candidate intends to carry out the election campaign through the news agencies (NA)?” asking questions in the institute.
“Whether campaigning through NA is legitimate? Yes, more than, since article 22 of the constitutional law “On the elections of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and the deputies of Jogorku Kenesh” provides the citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, candidates, political parties with the right of free campaigning in accordance with the legislation.
Full Article: eng.24.kg.
