Photo:
RIA Novosti
The state Duma on Friday adopted in the first, basic reading the bill on the introduction of penalties of up to five years imprisonment for illegal issuance and receipt of ballots for other voters or multiple voting.
The document was submitted to the Senate in early June, it was sponsored by the heads of profile committees of state Duma and Council of Federation Pavel Krasheninnikov (United Russia) and Andrei Klishas.
According to the text of the bill, Chapter 19 of the Penal code is proposed to add article 142.2 “Illegal issuance and receipt of the ballot, ballot for referendum.”
The issuance of a member of electoral Commission citizen of the ballot so he can vote instead of other persons or to vote more than two times during one vote, or the issuance of completed ballots it is proposed to punish by a fine from 100 thousand to 300 thousand roubles, compulsory works or imprisonment for the term up to four years.
For receiving these ballots is proposed to establish a penalty of a fine of 200 thousand to 500 thousand rubles or compulsory works or deprivation of liberty for a term up to four years.
If these crimes were committed by a group of people, including in collusion or by an organized group, they are proposed to be punished with fines from 100 thousand to 300 thousand roubles, or obligatory works for the term up to 480 hours, or correctional labor for a term up to two years, or compulsory works or deprivation of liberty for a term up to five years.
In mid-may, the bill was sent to the government and the Supreme court for feedback, as required by law. Earlier, the head of the Duma Committee on state construction and legislation Pavel Krasheninnikov told RIA Novosti that the Supreme court, and the government supported the proposed changes. According to him, the bill may be adopted by the state Duma in all three readings before the end of spring session, i.e. until the end of July.