I would be very surprised if anyone in charge would pressure any candidates representaives to not be allowed to speak.
Not saying it didn’t; but I would be surprised if it actually happened.
People had a sense that getting things right was really important; no one wants to be looked at as screwing up the process with so many eyes on things.
If I see evidence this did happen; I for one will be making calls.
The process has to have integrity; otherwise we are just a 3rd world laughingstock.