Lithuanian parliament bans disinformation in election programmes

The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, has approved amendments to the Election Code banning the dissemination of disinformation in candidates’ election programmes, LRT reports.

In a vote on Tuesday, 93 MPs supported the changes, six opposed, and two abstained. The amendments empower the Central Electoral Commission (VRK) to assess whether election programmes contain disinformation, misleading, or false information.

Under the new rules, election programmes must not deny fundamental constitutional values, contradict Lithuania’s national security interests, or include information that misleads the public or does not correspond to reality. If the VRK determines that a programme or part of it violates these requirements, it can prohibit its publication or distribution.

Currently, the VRK lacks the authority to evaluate election programme content for potential disinformation or other legal violations and prevent its dissemination.

Additionally, the Seimas introduced a requirement for election commission members to have a state-mandated proficiency in the Lithuanian language. The existing Election Code sets general requirements for commission members but does not specify language proficiency.

To ensure legal clarity, the new provisions will apply to elections whose political campaigns begin on or after 2 September this year.

The Election Code is classified as a constitutional law, meaning amendments require a qualified majority of at least 85 out of 141 MPs.