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State Duma increases responsibility for election breaches

An official who interferes in the election process will have to pay from 200,000 to 500,000 thousand rubles (compared to the current 100,000-200,000 rubles)

MOSCOW, June 20 (Itar-Tass) — The Russian State Duma on Wednesday passed amendments to the Russian Penal Code which tighten punishment for election violations: bigger penalties have been introduced for hindering citizens from exercising their electoral rights or impeding the work of electoral commissions, falsification of electoral documents and vote results.

The amended Penal Code doubles penalties for hindering citizens from exercising their electoral rights or impeding the work of election commissions from 40,000 to 80,000 rubles. A crime accompanied by bribes or abuse of administrative office that has been committed by an organized group may be punishable by a fine worth 100,000-500,000 rubles instead of the current 200,000 rubles at most. An official who interferes in the election process will have to pay from 200,000 to 500,000 thousand rubles (compared to the current 100,000-200,000 rubles).

Officials who forge voters’ signatures or print illegal ballot papers may face up to three years in prison or compulsory labor under aggravating circumstances.