Political campaigning

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What's the policy?

Twitter restricts political campaigning advertising. These restrictions are based on the specific advertisement being promoted, as well as the country that the campaign is targeting. To determine the policy for your advertisement and the country or countries you wish to target, see the country-specific information below.

All political advertisers must comply with any applicable laws regarding disclosure and content requirements, eligibility restrictions, and blackout dates for the countries where they advertise. 

Twitter provides a purple Promoted icon for political campaign ads paid for by candidates and political parties. The purple Promoted icon is available only to qualified political advertisers and is subject to approval. Political advertisers are also eligible to add a formal disclaimer that appears when a user hovers over the purple Promoted icon. Please note that the purple Promoted icon and hover text appear only on the desktop version of Twitter. Contact Twitter if you are interested in this option.

Here are examples of qualified political campaign ads with a purple badge:

What is subject to this policy?

This policy applies, but is not limited, to:

• Candidates for political office
• Political parties
• In the United States, anyone making Independent Expenditures
• Other individuals or entities seeking to influence the outcome of an election

What is not subject to this policy?

This policy generally does not apply to:

• News and information about politics from advertisers that are not considered political candidates or parties, and are not seeking to influence the outcome of an election
• Advertisements from political institutions that do not seek to influence voters in an election, such as:
  • Government institutions or bodies whose members are elected 
  • Law-making and policy-setting government organizations

How does this policy vary from country to country?

Political campaigning advertising is permitted except in the following countries:

• Brazil
• Morocco
• Pakistan
• South Korea

Political campaigning advertising is allowed with restrictions in the following countries:

Below are the additional restrictions for the above countries:

Argentina

• Political campaigning advertising must cease during the two days prior to and the day of an election. More information and specific dates can be found at www.electoral.gov.ar.

Australia

• Political campaigning advertising is permitted, provided that the end of each advertisement discloses the name and address (full street address and city name) of the person who authorized the advertisement.

Croaita

• Political advertising is permitted only during election period

Chile

• In all elections, except for the second ballot of a Presidential election, political campaigning advertising is only permitted between the 30th and the 3rd days (inclusive) prior to an election.
  • In the case of the second ballot of a Presidential election, political campaigning advertising is only permitted between the 14th and the 3rd days (inclusive) before the second ballot.

Colombia

• Political campaigning advertising is only permitted between the 60th day prior to an election and the day-of the election (inclusive).
• Political campaigning advertising may only include symbols, or logos previously registered with the Consejo Nacional Electoral.

Dominican Republic

• Political campaigning advertising must cease during the day before and the day-of an election.

Ecuador

• Political campaigning advertising is only permitted during the election period announced by the Consejo Nacional Electoral.
• Political campaigning advertising must cease during the 2 days prior to and the day-of an election.

Egypt

• Foreign individuals and entities may not promote political campaigning ads.

India

• Political campaigning advertising is permitted, but must cease during the 2 days prior to and the day of an election.

Indonesia

• Advertisers must comply with Indonesian Advertisement Ethics and Guidelines (EPI) and applicable regulations. For example, ads may be considered unacceptable if they:
  • create doubts and/or uncertainty regarding the identity of the advertiser
  • consist of or are related to any form of commercial activity or fundraising
  • contain unilateral statements or opinions with wording such as "we believe" or "we are of the opinion"

Japan

• All advertisers promoting political campaigning ads must comply with regulations under the Public Office Election Act and, if applicable, with internal political party guidelines.
• Political parties may advertise political campaigning ads during or as part of election campaigns, subject to the above limitations. All other political campaigning ads during or as part of election campaigns are prohibited when targeting Japan.
• During non-electoral campaign periods, political advertising is permitted, subject to the above limitations.

Kuwait

• Only candidates may promote political campaigning ads.

Macedonia

• Political campaigning advertising is only permitted between the 20th day and the 2nd day prior to the day-of an election (inclusive).

• Ads must include the following disclaimer: “Paid political advertiser”.

Malaysia

• Only candidates who are contesting in an election are allowed to advertise political campaigning ads in that election and the ad must be approved by the Election Commission.
• Political campaigning advertising must cease during the Campaign Period as defined by the Election Offences Act 1954.
• Political campaigning advertising cannot contain a reproduction of ballot paper.
• Political campaigning advertising is prohibited in the Federal Territory of Putrajaya.

Mexico

• Political campaigning advertising must cease during the 3 days prior to and the day of an election. The following third parties may not promote political campaigning ads:
  • Mexican governmental authorities or entities
  • Foreign political parties, foreign entities, foreign individuals and individuals that live or work outside Mexico
  • International organizations
  • Religiously-affiliated individuals or entities (ministers, churches, religious associations)
  • Mexican mercantile companies (non-profit and civil entities are permitted)

New Zealand

• Only candidates and party secretaries may promote political campaigning ads.
• Only the actual candidate may promote ads encouraging voters to vote for such candidate. Only party secretaries may promote ads encouraging voters to vote for such party.
• All political campaigning ads must contain a promoter statement, containing the name and address of the person or entity promoting the ad.
• Political campaigning advertising must cease during the day-of an election.

Philippines

• Only candidates, political parties and entities that have been authorized by candidates or political parties may promote political campaigning ads.
• Foreign individuals and entities may not promote political campaigning ads.
• Political campaigning advertising is only permitted during the election campaign period fixed by applicable law, and must cease during days specified by the Commission on Elections.
• Political campaigning ads must display the name and address of the advertiser (and payor if applicable) in compliance with applicable law.

Russia

• Advertisements targeting Russia must be in the Russian language.

Saudi Arabia

• Only candidates may promote political campaigning ads.

Serbia

• Advertisements must cease 48 hours prior to and the day of an election.

Singapore

• Political campaigning advertising must cease during the day prior to and the day-of an election.
• Political campaigning advertising by candidates and parties may not solicit funds.
• Foreign individuals and entities may not promote political campaigning advertising.

Slovenia

• Political campaigning advertising is only permitted between the 30th day and the 2nd day prior to the day-of the election (inclusive). Advertisements have to be in the Slovenian language.

Taiwan

• Political advertising campaigns are allowed with restrictions.
• Contact Twitter if you are interested in this option.

Thailand

• Political campaigning advertising must cease during the day prior to and the day-of an election.

Turkey

• Political campaigning advertising must cease during the day before and the day-of an election.
• Ads may not use the Turkish flag during or for political campaigns.
• Ads may not offer gifts or promotional goods to voters during elections.

 United Arab Emirates

• Only candidates may promote political campaigning ads.
• Political campaigning advertising must cease during the 2 days prior to and the day-of an election.
• Political campaigning advertising may not use the official symbol or emblems of the United Arab Emirates.

U.S.

• Political entities governed by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) must disclose what organization paid for the advertising campaign as required by law.

Venezuela

• Political campaigning advertising is only permitted during the election campaign period set forth by the Consejo Nacional Electoral.
• Only political parties, candidates, and entities that have been authorized by candidates may promote political campaigning advertising (foreign individuals and entities are categorically prohibited).
• Ads must identify the sponsor of the ad and include the Fiscal Information Registry number (RIF).
• Advertisers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations. For example, ads may be considered unacceptable if they:
  • use the national or regional symbols of Venezuela, the image of the founding fathers of Venezuela, or the colors of the national or regional flags
  • promote war, discrimination or intolerance
  • violate an individual’s honor, privacy, intimacy, self-image, confidentiality or reputation
  • discourage the right to vote

What do advertisers need to know about this policy?

Review our guidelines and make sure you understand the requirements for your brand and business. You are responsible for all your promoted content on Twitter. This includes complying with applicable laws and regulations regarding advertisements. 

What other Twitter resources relate to this policy?

• Promoted Trends guidelines
• Hate content, sensitive topics and violence

Have questions or feedback about something on this page?

If you are an advertiser whose account or Tweets are under review and you would like to check on the status or request an expedited review, please log in to ads.twitter.com and file a support ticket using the Help? button in the top right corner of your ads dashboard.

Learn more about blocking or dismissing ads by reading this article on “Reporting Twitter Ads”. To report an ad that is potentially violating these policies, use the Report an Ad form.

Using Twitter Ads Policy, the Twitter Rules and our Terms of Service, we will examine reported violations and take appropriate action.

If you are interested in advertising on Twitter and want to learn more, please visit business.twitter.com.