The Central Electoral Commission (JEC) has ruled that planned demonstrations and rallies called for May 21st (Reflection Day) and May 22nd (Election Day) by the Movement 15-M are illegal.
After six hours, the thirteen members of the Commission have reached an agreement in response to the claim by thousands of people in different parts of the country to maintain concentrations in the streets until Sunday May 22nd.
Among the arguments put forward by the Commission in justification of its decision is that, on election day, it is prohibited to form groups capable of hindering, in any manner, access to polling places, and the presence in the vicinity of those who may hinder or coerce the exercise of the right to vote.
The so-called Movement 15-M began with demonstrations that took place last May 15th in several Spanish cities and had its main focus in Madrid, where hours after the dissolution of the march several dozen young people set up a makeshift camp in Puerta del Sol. From here the movement spread to various parts of the country.
The movement advocates ‘real democracy’ and is calling for a reform of the Electoral Act to ensure a truly proportional system, more control of banking, increased taxes on large fortunes and banks and a system of shared working based on reduced working hours among other things. Basically, disillusionment with the current political situation in the country.