Press Release, 1.06.2017

A draft federal law guaranteeing equal rights to all the participants in elections for placement of their campaign materials in the streets was submitted to the Legislative Assembly of Karelia by Emilia Slabunova, MP and leader of the Yabloko party. The changes will affect placement of campaign materials on billboards, banners, message boards at entrances to buildings, etc. Slabunova also introduced a bill on an administrative liability for violation of these rights.

Outdoor advertising is one of the most common ways in election campaigns, however, many candidates face refusals for their materials to be placed, Slabunova stressed. The present law guarantees only equal conditions for payment for outdoor campaigning, but this does not ensure the principle of equality of candidates.

The bill introduced by Emilia Slabunova obliges the owners of advertising space to inform the candidates about the places of placement of campaign materials, the procedure and conditions for lot drawing when determining placement, and payment terms. This information should also be sent to electoral commissions. The bill prohibits placement of campaigning materials with the companies that do not comply with these requirements.

Slabunova introduced amendments to the Administrative Code that would envisage administrative penalties for violating the requirements of the first draft law. Thus, citizens should face a fine from 1,000 – to 1,500 roubles, officials – from 2,000 to 3,000 roubles, and legal entities – from 50,000 to 100,000 roubles for violation of the aforementioned provisions.

The bill will be further discussed at a specialized committee of the Legislative Assembly, and then in the plenary session. If the initiative is approved, the bill will be submitted to the State Duma for consideration.