30/06/2020 (Agence Europe) – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Monday evening issued the final statement of its assessment mission for the first round of the presidential election in Poland, held on Sunday. It notes “voting was well organised” and the “professional and transparent” work of the National Electoral Commission. However, the delegation deplores “the campaign was characterised by negative campaigning, a polarised environment, inflammatory language, xenophobic and homophobic rhetoric and hate speech”. It also reported that it had been informed that “the National Broadcasting Council had ensured neither impartial, balanced coverage nor effective oversight of the campaign”. The ‘Report on respect for the Rule of law in times of emergency’, in which the Venice Commission stresses that fair campaigning is as important as voting, is a reminder. (VL)