Any form of political activity aimed to promote support for a candidate, political party or choice available to voters in preparation for an election or a direct democracy instrument during a defined campaign period, including meetings, rallies, speeches, parades, broadcasts, debates and other events, and the use of the media, the Internet or any other form of communication. Campaign financing Funding of a political campaign (with monies received through fundraising, contributions, etc.). Candidate A person who is nominated to contest an election either as a political party representative or independent of any political party’s support. Certification of results The formal endorsement and confirmation of the announcement of electoral results. Civic education An information and/or educational programme which is designed to increase the comprehension and knowledge of citizens’ rights and responsibilities. Civil law Law based primarily on codified legislative texts found in constitutions or statutes. The secondary part of civil law is the legal approaches that are part of custom. Civil law system A legal system based on civil law and derived from the principles of the legal code of ancient Rome. In civil law jurisdictions, judges do not generally have the power to make law by setting legal precedent. Code of conduct A set of general rules of behaviour, for example for members and/or staff of an EMB, or for political parties, with respect to participation in an electoral process. Common law Law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals (also called case law), rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action. These decisions stand as precedents and the principle of stare decisis applies. Common law system A legal system that gives precedential weight to common law on the principle that it is unfair to treat similar facts differently on different occasions. Complaint The first document filed with the court by a person or entity claiming legal rights against another. Conciliation A method of dispute resolution by means of discussion and settlement without going to court. 197 Annex A. Glossary Campaign (electoral)