election (election) campaign is one of the stages of the electoral process requires formal registration and nomination of candidates (candidates), their election campaign, aimed at familiarizing the voters with their platforms and programs, personality.Based on the foregoing, the population makes a choice.
election campaign begins after the election date, the formation of electoral districts, the creation of committees, as well as clarify the list of participating voters.By the later stages include the very course of voting, counting of votes, determining the outcome.The totality of all stages of the electoral process called the electoral system.At each step quite strictly regulated by relevant legislation.
pre-election phase involves competing bidders fight for votes by explaining the merits of their programs.For these purposes, used the media, meetings with voting, polls, and other technologies used by election campaigns.
The average duration of the pre-election stage of three weeks to a month.However, in some countries, this stage lasts longer.Date of commencement of the pre-election stage depends on the date of appointment of voting (election day).In some cases, it is defined by law once and for all, in the other - the date of the vote is appointed by parliament or head of state.The election campaign, usually ends the day before Election Day.
The laws of most states nominate candidates based on the principle of free nomination.By the process presented a minimum of formalities.Thus, in the case of self-nomination requires the support of the applicant the greatest quantity of voters in the district (not exceeding 30);if the candidate put forward a group of voters, its number must be several hundred people, etc.
As a general rule, the election law does not interfere in the relations within the party.
as a condition for registration of the applicant in many states adopted the pre-election pledge.If a candidate is not able to collect a certain minimum of votes according to the law, the deposit is not refundable.It should be noted that it is usually the amount is relatively small.
alternative choice is designed to ensure freedom in nominating candidates.To some extent, this goal is achieved.However, in general, the nomination of candidates by political parties is monopolized process.This is evidenced by very few self-promoted (independent candidates) in the parliaments of many countries.
In contrast to the process of nomination and registration of election campaigning is the process of undergoing a severe legal restrictions.The election campaign at this stage is regulated in order to prevent pressure on the voters, their bribery, misrepresentation, etc.In addition, so all applicants are on an equal footing struggle.Along with this "equality" essential rules of the campaign is considered neutral (non-interference of the officials of the state apparatus in the course of struggle), and loyalty (the applicant and his team should not apply discrediting rivals rumors and other rigging).The strategy of the campaign includes the right of the voter to verify the fact of entering it in the list of voters to go to court in case of violation of his rights.
It should be noted that the deficiencies of pre-election "races" are often the result of inadequate perfection of electoral legislation.There have been abuses in the nomination process to collect the required number of signatures, in addition, the voter may not always receive sufficient information on the composition of party lists and more.
