February 25th, 2008

Fidesz breaks election law in Gyula by wearing provocative T-shirts

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Members of the Fidesz opposition party broke election law by wearing provocative T-shirts at a session of the Gyula government on February 14, writes news portal Hír3, based on a report by state news wire MTI.

After the offense, Sándor Tóth (MSZP), chairman of the regional election district petitioned for help from the local government in Gyula. The Békés County Regional Election Committee in Gyula has decided the T-shirts broke the law. The local representatives of the Fidesz party have been asked to refrain from similar offences in the future.

The T-shirts featured a featherless chicken and the text “don’t let yourself be ripped off,” and “three yes votes will save you a lot,” alongside the Fidesz logo. Tóth said they encourage others to vote “yes” at an upcoming referendum to be held on March 9.

“Election rallies or propaganda is not allowed to be carried out in local governmental buildings,” Tóth said, citing a 1997 regulation on elections.

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2 Comments

  1. aemann says:
    February 26, 2008 at 1:20 am

    If they’d worn T-shirts with BIG RED STARS on them that would’ve
    been OK. Perhaps they should have worn them in parliament, when
    any amount of propaganda IS allowed.

  2. Viking says:
    February 26, 2008 at 8:42 am

    People must be able to express their opinons “freely” even if this is done inside official buildings. This right should only be curtailed by the obligations their specific duties applies, like it would not be a good idea for Police Officers wearing political statements on their uniforms.
    I assume this law was taken with 2/3-majority in the Parliament 1997, if not then Fidesz did not change it during their majority during 1998-2002 Parliament.