Campaign ad rules kick in

B.C. residents who come across political ads for October’s municipal elections can now check if they are compliant with election laws. The “precampaign period” for the 2022 general local elections begins on Monday and runs until Sept. 16, Elections B.C. said.

Election advertising rules come into effect with the start of the pre-campaign period and last until the election on Oct. 15.

“Elector organizations, prospective candidates and third parties that sponsor election advertising during the precampaign or campaign period must include their name and contact information on all of their ads, in addition to other requirements,” the election regulator said. “Third-party election advertisers must register with Elections B.C.”

During the pre-campaign period, election advertising is defined as “any public communication that promotes or opposes, directly or indirectly, the election of a candidate or an elector organization endorsing a candidate.”