Election law should be revised for the smooth flow of information
(From The Japan Times March 24 issue)

情報伝達を円滑にする選挙法改正

Even if Prime Minister Taro Aso decides not to dissolve the Lower House for a snap election, the current term of members ends in September. So an election will be held this year. With the Japanese economy in crisis and the nation facing political stagnation, the upcoming election will be very important.

Unfortunately, institutional defects block the smooth flow of information from political parties and politicians to voters, making it difficult for the electorate to discern politicians' and political parties' visions of Japan and policy proposals.

Under the Public Offices Election Law, political parties and politicians cannot renew their Web sites once the election campaign officially begins. The law only permits the distribution of fliers and postcards during the campaign period. This provision is absurd in an age when a majority of voters use the Internet as it deprives them of a crucial source of information during the campaign period.

Most Diet members have established Web sites, and use them to express their opinions on policy matters and to report on their activities in the Diet. Many of them e-mail newsletters to voters. A study group of the internal affairs ministry in 2002 proposed allowing the use of home pages during the campaign period, noting that the Internet plays a key role in promoting democracy in the 21st century. But the Diet has been slow to revise the law.

Another problem with the law is the 2003 revision allowing the distribution of detailed campaign pledges in book form. These "manifestoes" can only be placed at a limited number of locations, such as candidates' campaign offices. This makes it nearly impossible for most voters to read the manifestoes and make informed decisions.

The government should extend the official campaign period for Lower House elections. How can voters assess policy proposals and form opinions in just 12 days? The length of the campaign period at present is an insult to voters and ignores their rights.

解散総選挙の有無に関わらず、衆院は9月に任期満了、今年中に選挙は行なわれる。経済危機と政治不振に陥る中での選挙の意味は大きい。

公職選挙法では政党や候補者は選挙期間中、ビラや葉書の配布はできるが、ウェブサイトの更新ができない。有権者の大半がネットを利用する時代に選挙戦中の情報源を奪うとは何事か。

2003年の同法改正により期間中のマニフェスト配布が解禁、だが配布場所は限定的で、有権者が十分な情報を得て決断できるとはいえない。

衆院の選挙期間も延ばすべきだ。12日という短期間で政策を評価させるというのは有権者に対する侮辱であり彼らの権利の無視に等しい。