Slovak parliament approves 50-day ban for pre-election polls

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – Slovak lawmakers have approved the banning of opinion polls in the 50 days before a vote, over-riding the veto of the country’s president. The new legislation extends the ban from 14 days.

Two of the three members of the ruling coalition, the left-wing Smer-Social Democracy and the ultra-nationalist Slovak National Party, joined forces with the opposition far-right People’s Party Our Slovakia to approve the extension.

The lawmakers say pre-election polls often confuse the voters.

President Zuzana Caputova said Tuesday she will challenge the vote in parliament at the constitutional Court.

The next parliamentary election in Slovakia is scheduled for Feb 29.