Monitoring of public space during electoral period involves social networks, print and electronic media (ISIE)

Tunis: The monitoring of the public space during the electoral period, which began on July 14, involves social networks, print and electronic media and the public and private media, explained spokesman for the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) Mohamed Tlili Mansri on Monday.The ISIE announced on Sunday that it had begun monitoring the public space at the start of the electoral period (July 14), which will continue until the announcement of the final results of the presidential election.Mansri stated that this monitoring, which begins two months before the election campaign, is governed by the electoral law and the regulatory decisions issued by the authority.The monitoring includes, notably, the ban on political advertising (Articles 3, 57 and 154 of the electoral law) and the publication of opinion poll results in connection with the presidential election, he said.The authority's public space monitoring units are tasked with identifying hate speech and political and voter disinformation , in accordance with the laws in force, he underlined.These units will then report any excesses to the authority, which will in turn refer them to the public prosecutor's office if necessary, Mansri pointed out.As of Sunday July 14, 58 presidential candidates had withdrawn their sponsorship forms.Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse