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<DIV>Hi Trevor,</DIV>
<DIV>Not heard of this before, and no expert but here are some thoughts..........Has the election been 'declared' yet? date announced, candidates announced etc..... If <U>not</U> is he/she refering to the period until that point, that seems fair enough (you wouldn't know whos' standing untill this point) If not and collectively they have no intention of talking to the media at all before election day this seems absolutely wrong and denies voters the right to hear from and question their representatives! </DIV>
<DIV>There will be a named person who is organising the election at the Council (can't recall their pre-election title, but they are also the returning officer on the night!) We had some procedural questions about an election and found that person very knowledgable about the law and process, he/she may also hold a lot of influence with the parties standing for election.</DIV>
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<DIV>Might be worth approaching the Local Government Association and/or Ofcom legal dept (again I've found helpful) or look up the <BR>Representative of the Peoples Act !! Take your findings to them and see if they change their minds! If not I'm sure there would be a wider interest in their collective stance to accountability! Don't let them off the hook ...... and good luck!</DIV>
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<P>Best Wishes<BR>Andy Wass<BR>The Panjabi Centre/Desi Radio</P>
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<B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">From:</SPAN></B> Trevor Lockwood <lockwood@btinternet.com><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> cma-l@commedia.org.uk<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Sunday, 27 February, 2011 22:40:37<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> [cma-l] Local election interviews<BR></FONT><BR>
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<TD vAlign=top><BR>I've just been told by a local councillor that they are advised they must go into 'purdah' for some time before the coming elections, and not talk to the media.<BR><BR>We plan to interview every candidate - as we did for the Parliamentary elections.<BR><BR>Anyone know where I can find the law?<BR><BR>Trevor</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV></DIV></div><br>
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