Lithuania proposes election code changes to allow scrutiny of candidate platforms

Lithuania’s parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee will propose amendments to the Election Code this week, granting the Central Electoral Commission (VRK) the authority to review election platforms for misinformation and false claims, LRT reports.

The proposed changes, drafted in response to legal gaps identified during past elections, would require the VRK to assess whether candidate or party platforms comply with constitutional values, national security interests, and factual accuracy. If a program is found to contain “deceptive, misleading, or false information,” the commission could block its publication or distribution.

Committee chairman Julius Sabatauskas stated that the amendments aim to “prevent the spread of disinformation and legally prohibited content using state funds,” ensuring fair and transparent elections. The reforms, if approved by the Seimas, could take effect as early as the 2027 municipal elections.

Additional proposals include mandating that election commission members demonstrate proficiency in Lithuanian to improve communication with voters and reduce procedural errors. The draft also seeks to standardize voting procedures and streamline document submission requirements for the VRK.