The president of the Central Electoral Junta suggested that those that do not agree with the electoral advertising ruling published in newspapers on Monday take their complaints to the Supreme Court of Justice. Dr. Manuel Morel Cerda responded reacting to an opinion by Dr. Joaquín Balaguer (PRSC) who considers the ruling illegal. The propaganda ruling was passed by the JCE with the approval of delegates from the leading political parties, including the PRSC, says the JCE. Hipólito Mejía, presidential candidate for the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano, told Hoy newspaper that he favors it. "I am in agreement because it is convenient to bring morality to the campaign," he said. José Tomás Pérez, secretary general of the PLD, feels that the JCE should clarify the ruling. He also questions whether the JCE can regulate the rates charged by the media. The ruling establishes that the JCE will supervise all electoral propaganda, to preserve the morality, good customs, public peace and honor of persons, as well as the environment, so that neither the environment nor private property be damaged. It also prohibits the mutilation of public propaganda, placement of propaganda on trees, historic monuments, schools, churches, public sports facilities, historic or cultural centers, hospitals, public buildings, cemeteries, traffic lights, sign posts on highways, streets, or in places where it could distract drivers and infringe on their safety. It also states that political propaganda can only be placed on private property with the authorization of the owners The ruling bans the use of phrases that are contrary to decency, decorum and dignity of politicians and political parties. The advertisements must indicate who is the advertiser. The ruling also establishes that the media cannot charge more for political advertising than it does for commercial advertising. Furthermore, it establishes that printing material suppliers and printers cannot deny their services to any political party that can pay the usual prices. The ruling establishes that the JCE or municipal electoral juntas can remove any propaganda that violates the electoral propaganda ruling. Penalties are stated in Electoral Law 275-97. The electoral campaign is officially opened 90 days prior to the 16 May election date.
