15. In the same context, the NIHR followed up a number of candidates who, directly or indirectly, continued their election campaigns during the electoral silence period - during the first round and the run-off - by publicizing themselves using promotional public social media accounts. In addition, a number of members of the campaign teams were promoting those candidates, as well as moving their electoral advertisement boards to locations close to the polling and counting stations. All of such actions are in violation of the provisions of the law and decisions governing the electoral process. 16. In this regard, the NIHR affirms that the philosophy behind electoral silence and the associated electoral campaigning practices is to allow voters to determine their choices freely, without confusing or influencing their decisions. Voters, during the hours before the ballot, are usually exposed to psychological pressures that might influence their electoral options. This is the reason for upholding the electoral silence period in the provisions of the Law, in addition to the prohibition of certain practices in electoral propaganda. Such provisions ensure that voters are not influenced or pressured, and that they are able to decide their choices and vote for the candidates who they believe are entitled to run for elections, away from the voices instigating voters to cast their votes for a certain candidate. 46