CEC head says ban on agitation is respected and apologizes for misunderstandings during early voting



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Electoral agitation is traditionally prohibited 30 hours before the start of an election and on the day of the election before the end of the vote, with the exception of external political publicity published before the start of this electoral campaign ban.

“The situation is calm enough, everyone really adheres to the ban on agitation. We had seen a lot of political publicity until the early hours of the night, but now everyone is abstaining and not publishing.” 15 minutes L.Matjošaitytė said on Saturday afternoon.

Photo by Valdas Kopūstas / 15 min photo / Head of the Central Election Commission Laura Matjošaitytė

Photo by Valdas Kopūstas / 15 min photo / Head of the Central Election Commission Laura Matjošaitytė

According to her, the CEC received only a few reports of election posters or social media posts in the wrong place.

The prohibition of agitation applies to both candidates and voters.

Violation of the prohibition on electoral campaigning during this period imposes a fine of 140 to 300 euros for individuals and 300 to 1150 euros for members of the commission and observers.

The fine to the media for unauthorized agitation during the insurance period ranges from 2,700 to 6,000. euros.

Sorry for the misunderstanding during early voting.

An early vote also took place this week. According to L. Matjošaitytė, the CEC received several reports that members of local electoral commissions could campaign for specific parties or politicians.

According to her, this took place both in early voting places and, for example, in residences.

“There were also reports that residents of the nursing home asked why to vote and the head of the institution said,” said the president of the CEC.

Photo by Žygimantas Gedvila / 15min / Queue of the last day of early voting in Lukiškės square

Photo by Žygimantas Gedvila / 15min / Queue of the last day of early voting in Lukiškės square

L.Matjošaitytė claimed that a report on possible voter bribery during early voting had been received near the Press Room in Vilnius, but did not confirm it.

According to her, no crime was systematic or malicious, so the CEC did not contact the police.

The head of the CEC also said that there were misunderstandings in the polling stations about the use of protective masks and the resulting conflicts with members of the electoral commissions.

“I really apologize to all voters for the wrong actions of the commission members. I don’t think it was malicious, apparently the fatigue and everything else contributed,” he said.

Seimas elections will be held on Sunday. They are attended by 17 political parties.

Provide protective equipment

The CEC reported that the Ministry of Health assigned more than a million masks from the state reserve to the electoral commissions, almost 10,000 each. respirators, coveralls and goggles.

The commissioners will also receive nearly 10.5 thousand. protective bathrobes, almost 70 thousand. disposable gloves, 13 mil. pairs of shoe covers, almost 70 thousand. disposable gloves, 10,2 mil. liters of disinfectant liquid and almost 3 thousand. 250 ml disinfectant vials.

Some of these measures have already been used in early voting days, as well as in the organization of voting in health, social and welfare institutions, places of confinement, visits to voters with the right to vote at home and visits to isolated voters.

Photo by Sigismund Gedvila / 15min / Last day of early voting

Photo by Sigismund Gedvila / 15min / Last day of early voting

The next part will be used on October 11, the main day of the elections.

“We understand the great challenge that members of the electoral commissions face when organizing the vote in the context of the Covid19 pandemic, therefore we are doing everything possible to ensure that they and the voters are protected as much as possible from the threat. COVID-19, “said the president of the CEC.

According to her, currently the personal protective equipment assigned to all the electoral commissions of the state reserve is sufficient, but already next week, when the preparations for the second round of elections begin, the unused amounts of personal protective equipment will be reviewed responsibly.

If necessary, the Ministry of Health will be contacted again to ensure the need for additional personal protective equipment for members of the electoral commissions.



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