[Lower House Election]“Don’t just call out names repeatedly” in the election car → Actually, only “repeat calling” is allowed! ? I asked a lawyer | Otonancer

[Lower House Election]“Don’t just call out names repeatedly” in the election car → Actually, only “repeat calling” is allowed! ? I asked a lawyer | Otonancer

Otonancer | Adult educational entertainment variety

• 2024.10.25

• Author: Otonancer Editorial Department

• Advisor: Minori Sato

In the lead up to the House of Representatives general election, campaign cars are seen every day, but there are angry voices on social media saying, “Don’t just keep calling out their names.” However, in reality, it seems that the only thing allowed in the running election car is “repeated calls“…?

While there are voices of anger over the “repeated calls” of election cars… (Image is for illustrative purposes only)

The 50th House of Representatives general election approaches on October 27th. Candidates’ campaign cars can often be seen in front of train stations and in residential areas around the country, but there are many voices of dissatisfaction with these cars on social media. Some of the comments included, “Just keep calling names…Is a campaign car really necessary?” “Don’t keep calling names in residential areas.” “Stop calling out names because the information is just party names and names.” “Just keep calling names out loud.” There have been many voices of anger over repeated chants such as “I will not vote for the candidate in question,” but in reality, campaign cars are only allowed by law to “say the same thing over and over again.” . We asked attorney Minori Sato of Minori Sato Law Office what this means.

I can’t express my opinion when conducting politics.

Q. Is it true that in a running campaign car, “the only thing allowed is to say the same thing over and over again”?

Mr. Sato: “It’s true.According to the Public Offices Election Act, only chanting for election campaigning is allowed on a running election car, and rules prohibit people from expressing their own opinions when conducting politics.” (Article 141-3 of the same law).Continuous calling is only permitted between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Article 140-2 of the same law).

Repetition is saying the same thing over and over again. It’s not that you can only repeat the name, but you can also repeat the words “Thank you for your support,” and “Give your vote to ◯◯” along with the candidate’s name, or use a catchphrase such as “Give everyone a smile, it’s ◯◯.” It is common to repeat the name.”

Q. Is there a difference between what is permitted when the election car is “running” and “stopped”?

Mr. Sato: “No. You can give campaign speeches from the top of a stopped election car (Article 141-3 of the Public Offices Election Law).”

Q. Is there any penalty if the election car breaks the established rules?

Sato: “There are penalties for people who break the rules (Article 243 of the Public Offices Election Act). “You may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to 500,000 yen.”

(Otonancer Editorial Department)

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