The Romanian authorities seem to take the new electoral campaign rules for this year's local elections very seriously.

Prahova Police has recently opened a criminal investigation against one of the candidates running for mayor in Surani commune, Prahova county. The candidate is believed to have offered two chocolate bars during a campaign event, which is not allowed anymore under the new law.

“On Thursday, we were informed that a candidate in Surani offered two chocolate bars during an event organized on Wednesday,” Prahova County Police Inspectorate spokesman Marian Popescu told local Mediafax. The police decided to open a criminal investigation.

The electoral campaign started on May 6 with new rules. For example, the candidates are not allowed to buy, offer or distribute, directly or indirectly, pens, mugs, watches, t-shirts, jackets, raincoats, hats, scarfs, bags, umbrellas, buckets, lighters, matches, food, alcoholic products, cigarettes, or any such products. Electoral picnics and concerts are also forbidden.

Under the law, the only propaganda materials allowed during the electoral campaign are posters with dimensions of maximum 50 cm by 35 cm, audio, and video propaganda materials broadcast by the audiovisual media, advertising in printed media, online publicity materials, brochures, leaflets, and other printed material. Read more here.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com