The legal framework for the 2026 elections has been updated with amendments published in the official gazette, affecting the House of Representatives’ electoral law.
The revisions expand candidate disqualification rules, barring individuals convicted of administrative or criminal offences from running for office. Candidates with suspended or active prison sentences are also barred, regardless of the nature of the crime.
A key update prevents candidacy once an appellate court issues a conviction, even if the person appeals to the Court of Cassation, until a final decision is reached.
Observers say the changes aim to strengthen electoral integrity, build public trust, and ensure good governance by excluding candidates with legal or ethical issues that undermine eligibility.
