What is proposed
In Article 65 "Violation of the conditions for conducting pre-election campaigning," it is planned to add points 4 and 5:4. Obstructing lawful campaigning will be punishable by a fine of 10,000 soms for individuals.
5. For obstructing lawful campaigning carried out by managing housing cooperatives or territorial self-government bodies, a fine of 20,000 soms is provided for individuals.
Goals of the initiative
According to the deputy in the justification for the amendments, the Law "On Elections" prohibits employees of territorial public self-government from engaging in campaigning. Involving house committees and chairpersons of homeowners' associations as campaigners is seen as an abuse of administrative resources. Nevertheless, some house committees and chairpersons of homeowners' associations continue to unofficially support candidates and engage in campaigning, often covertly.The deputy noted that given the administrative influence of these individuals, they are capable of exerting pressure on commercial organizations (stores and kiosks) located within the territory of the homeowners' association, prohibiting the placement of political advertisements for certain candidates. Moreover, they can create unequal conditions for campaigning: some candidates may hold meetings in the yard, while others are prohibited from doing so.
Additionally, ordinary citizens can also obstruct lawful campaigning by staging provocations and creating disturbances for campaigners.
It is necessary to establish responsibility for obstructing lawful campaigning.Such cases were reported by a representative of the candidate Ilima Karybekov to the Central Election Commission during the recent elections. "The applicant's campaigners were unable to access the territory of the yard of one of the apartment buildings, as they were denied entry. The reason for the denial was stated to be that this house, according to those obstructing access, 'supports' candidate Umbetaly Kydyraliyev. These circumstances, in the applicant's opinion, violate the principles of equality for all candidates and obstruct the conduct of campaigning activities," the appeal states.
