(IPYS/IFEX) – On the morning of 5 February 2006, personnel from Huaraz’s Special Electoral Jury attempted to suspend the broadcasting of ATV Channel 9 programme “Hora Clave”, in order to stop a live interview with Alfredo Vera Arana, the mayor of Independencia district, department of Huaraz, northwestern Peru. Inspectors Raquel Vírhuez Castillo and Aquilina Gladys […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On the morning of 5 February 2006, personnel from Huaraz’s Special Electoral Jury attempted to suspend the broadcasting of ATV Channel 9 programme “Hora Clave”, in order to stop a live interview with Alfredo Vera Arana, the mayor of Independencia district, department of Huaraz, northwestern Peru. Inspectors Raquel Vírhuez Castillo and Aquilina Gladys Gonzáles justified their actions by claiming that the mayor had been engaged in political propaganda, thus violating the electoral law.
Their argument, however, is not valid inasmuch as the mayor is not running as a candidate in the upcoming elections. If he was, he would have had to resign from his post in October 2005. The interview revolved around public works projects in his district, a topic which may be discussed in public according to the Municipalities Law (Ley General de Municipalidades).
The inspectors attempted to draft a written record of the visit. However, programme director Manuel Moreno Guzmán refused to sign the statement. Faced with his refusal, they threatened to initiate actions in order to cancel the programme.
