The Electoral Board of the Madrid Zone has demanded that Vox remove within one day the large canvas that it installed at the confluence of Alcalá and Goya streets in Madrid in which, with a very explicit image, it was summoned to throw away to the LGTBI movement, pro-independence, feminists, communists, environmentalists and other groups contrary to its far-right ideology and which came to be called the hate canvas.
The JEZ has upheld the complaints made by the PSOE and by the Spanish Association against Conversion Therapies against VOX for the placement of the canvas, which under the slogan "decide what matters" in reference to "freedom, security, borders, family, countryside and industry", asks to throw away the "progressive crap".
The electoral body recalls article 53 of the electoral law (Loreg) that prohibits electoral propaganda from the calling of the elections until the legal start of the campaign, in this case from May 29 to July 6. In addition, this article states that "the carrying out of advertising or electoral propaganda through posters, commercial supports or insertions in the press, radio or other digital media", cannot be justified by the exercise of the ordinary activities of the parties. For this reason, the parties cannot, during this period, "contract directly or through third parties, spaces, media or sites for the dissemination of advertising or electoral propaganda, whether it is carried out in public places (gardens, squares, parks, etc.) , already in commercial supports".
The JEZ understands that the installation of the canvas is not justified within the "exercise of the ordinary activities of the parties, coalitions or federations" and points out that the fact that "the voter's vote is not expressly requested is not a reason not to consider as electoral propaganda any activity that directly or indirectly seeks to attract votes". In this sense, for the Electoral Board the message "Decide what matters", included on the canvas, reflects "the intention of persuading the voter" to support Vox At this point, the body admits that this motto "could be admissible if it were done within the website or social networks of the political party, but the installation of a canvas on the facade of a building in Madrid supposes a commercial contract". .
Regarding the possible illegality of the content of the canvas, the JEZ declares itself not competent to rule on the matter, since -remember- the competence of the Electoral Boards refers to the regularity of the electoral campaign acts regarding the submission of the same to electoral regulations and the principles of equality and transparency,
For all these reasons, the JEZ agrees to require Santiago Abascal's party to proceed with the removal of the canvas within one day, with the warning that, if it is not verified, it will stop the damage that may arise by law. . Likewise, the body sees no reason to open disciplinary proceedings, without prejudice to the fact that, in the event of reiteration in the conduct, the initiation of the same could be agreed.
