Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed the law on amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine that foresees strengthening of responsibility for violation of the citizens' electoral rights, the presidential press service reported.
“According to law No. 1703-VII, the criminal responsibility for bribery of voters, referendum participants has been increased. Thus, the acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt by a voter for himself or a third party of improper advantage, for committing or not committing any act related to the immediate implementation of their voting right shall be punished by a fine of 100 to 300 non-taxable minimum incomes, or correctional labor for up to two years, or restriction of liberty for the same term,” the press service said in a statement.
In addition, an offer, promise or giving of improper advantage to a voter for any actions associated with the immediate implementation of his electoral rights shall be punishable by restriction of liberty for a term up to three years, or imprisonment for the same term with the deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of one to three years.
The election canvassing, which deploys providing to enterprises, institutions and organizations of improper advantage or free goods, work and services shall be punishable by restriction of liberty for a term of two to four years or imprisonment for the same term, with the deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of one to three years.
“The law toughens criminal penalties for the crimes related to the violation of electoral rights of citizens. Thus, for impeding the free exercise of citizen’s voting right, or the right to participate in a referendum, obstructing the activities of another participant in the election process, the election commission member or an official observer in the performance of their duties combined with bribery, fraud or coercion, extends the term of imprisonment from two to three years. Such a crime is classified as a crime of medium gravity,” the president’s press service said.
The relevant actions committed by preliminary arrangement by a group of people or a member of the electoral commission or other official using their official position, shall be punished by the deprivation of liberty for a term of three to seven years, and these offences will be qualified as serious.
The unlawful demand or an order by an official with the aim of influencing the decision of the election commission shall be punished by the imprisonment from five to ten years, the forgery of election documents by the imprisonment from three to seven years, the theft or concealment of election ballot boxes or vote counting protocols by the imprisonment from five to seven years. All these offences are classified as serious ones.
According to the press service, the law also qualifies obtaining of a voting ballot by a person not entitled to receive it as an offence punishable by a fine of 100 to 300 non-taxable minimum incomes, or correctional labor for up to two years, or restriction of freedom for up to three years.
“It is expected that the law will help ensure the protection of the electoral rights of citizens, strengthen the responsibility for their violation, and help bring Ukrainian legislation in compliance with the EU legislation,” the statement said.
