163. The electoral law also prescribes a number of rules that are examined below. 164. Equality between political parties in electoral competitions. - Candidates, political parties and groups of political parties can use the State media (radio, TV, print) for their campaign. The National Committee on Equal Access to State Media ensures among other things, the management of air time and editorial space allotted to candidates, political parties and groups of political parties contesting. 165. The transparency of electoral procedures. - The electoral law contains a number of provisions whose implementation contributes to the transparency of election procedures. These include: - The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), an independent structure tasked with the supervision of elections and referendums through its regional and local offices; - General Delegation for Elections which is responsible for managing the electoral register and public assistance to political parties; - The Inter-ministerial Committee responsible for preparing and organising the elections; - The competent courts when there are electoral disputes. The right to property (Article 14) 166. The Malian Constitution of 25 February 1992 recognizes and guarantees the right to property, which remains a major concern and a major economic and social challenge for both the State and the people. 167. This guarantee is enshrined in Article 13 of the Constitution which provides that "the right to own property shall be guaranteed. No one may be expropriated except for public interest and shall be subject to prior and fair compensation." 168. This constitutional provision is repeated in Article 225 of the Land Code. 169. For the realisation of this right, the Government of Mali set up a department in charge of State Property and Land Affairs and adopted a number of land-related laws and regulations. 170. The Land Code as amended by Ordinance No. 99-027/P-RM of 22 March 2000, itself amended and ratified by Law No. 02-008/ANRM of 12 February 2002, recognizes customary land rights, takes into account decentralization, establishes land registry and lays down conditions and procedures for the registration, acquisition and expropriation of buildings. 171. Compensation is still paid for damages incurred in case of expropriation for public interest. One’s property can be seized only on the basis of a court decision taken by a competent judicial authority. 38