“I was traveling by car in the prefecture, but I saw the same signboard for the upper house election candidate in several places. I have been involved in the election, but this is not an” election violation. ” Is it? “
This is what voters in Ibaraki Prefecture say. In mid-June, when the Upper House election (announced on June 22nd, vote counting on July 10th) was approaching, this magazine headed for the Shojikicho intersection on National Highway 408 in Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
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Then, there was certainly a “throwing sign” around the intersection. It seems that it was set up by the camp of Rika Sasaki (55), who is the head of the Ibaraki Prefectural Branch of the House of Councilors of the Nippon Ishin no Kai and is planning to run for the Ibaraki Prefectural constituency.
The number is eight. The water resistant fabric was stapled to the wooden frame. A large photo of Mr. Sasaki’s face and name are printed in the center. There is also a word that seems to be a pledge, “Nippon Ishin no Kai House of Councilors, Ibaraki Prefecture Branch Chief”, and “Contact Office”. However, there is no building that seems to be a contact point in the vicinity.
When I asked a veteran local assembly member in Ibaraki prefecture, who had been involved in the national elections for a long time, to take a look at this site photo, he said in a surprised manner.
“Such” Stekan “may have been used by each camp in the Showa era, but I haven’t seen it in recent years. Except for the campaign period from the announcement date to the day before the voting date. As political activities, only those that advertise the policies of political parties and announcements of lectures by individual politicians can be posted.
Poster for political activities, such as writing a large name of a specific individual or putting a face photo on it to make a specific individual stand out, is subject to regulation. I think it can be seen that this is not a sign of political activity, but an election campaign to promote the face and name, that is, a pre-exercise that violates the law.
On the other hand, the Election Commission is instructing you to put up a sign that says “Supporters’ Association Liaison Office” in front of the office used for political activities, but there is no building around the photo. ……. I think this is a case that was reported to the Investigation Division 2 to crack down on election violations. “
Professor Hiroshi Kamiwaki (Constitutional Law), Faculty of Law, Kobe Gakuin University, explains Mr. Sasaki’s signboard as follows.
“The Public Offices Election Act regulates confusing activities similar to the campaign in political activities. According to Article 143, Paragraph 16 of the Public Offices Election Act, politicians (candidates for public employment, those who intend to become candidates for public employment, Documents and drawings for political activities that display the names of those who are in the current public office), documents and drawings for political activities that display the names of sponsoring organizations, etc. cannot be posted.
Therefore, this signboard may violate Article 143, Paragraph 16 of the Public Offices Election Act. The signboard is not posted in the office for political activities, and the voucher issued by the Election Commission is not affixed, so it seems likely that it will be subject to regulation. “
The Election Division of the Autonomous Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which is in charge of the election, said, “Since it is out of the campaign period now, if the signboard is recognized as being for the campaign, it will not be possible as a preliminary campaign, but it is individual. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications cannot make a decision on the matter. It will be a judicial decision such as the police. “
When I asked Rika Sasaki’s office about this signboard, such as “reason for installation,” “time and number of installations,” “opinion about suspected violation of the Public Offices Election Act,” and “did you recognize the illegality?” The following reply was received by e-mail on the 16th.
《As you pointed out, Sasaki himself does not know, and it is thought that some of the office staff (including volunteers) may have thought that it was good, and we are now doing our best to confirm it. ..
Regarding the signboards that were installed, we have removed all the confirmed ones, but we will respond as soon as we find any other signs. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Rika Sasaki for pointing out and worrying.
When I asked again if I was aware of the possibility of violating the law, there was no direct response, and the following answers were received.
《Thanks to your company, we were able to do our best not to leave behind anything that would have already caused concern as of the night of the 16th. We would like to express our sincere gratitude and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Although it is a public offices election law with many provisions, the staff will devote themselves every day to deepen their legal knowledge and will act with the intention of sharing information.
The above-mentioned member of the Diet is amazed.
“‘I thought the office staff was good’ is just an excuse I had prepared in advance. Until it is pointed out, it’s probably the idea that the person who did it wins.The Ibaraki Prefectural Police have long been said to be lax in investigating election violations, but what will happen? “
I don’t think it’s a case of “thank you” …
( SmartFLASH
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