Consequences for electoral crimes underway

The majority of members at the Shura Council yesterday voted for the approval of a new legislation that toughens punishments against offences related to the quadrennial municipal elections, few months before it takes place for the fifth time in the country.

The new bill to amend Article 30 of Decree Law 3 of 2002 on the elections to municipal councils, introduces punishments of up to two-year imprisonment and/or fines not exceeding BD2,000 for crimes related to the election process of the councils.

The Public Utilities and Environment Committee in the council approved the bill, few months after the Council of Representatives took a similar decision.

The approved new toughened punishments would be applied on those who vote more than once, impersonate another individual to increase the number of votes for a certain candidate, humiliate the committees overseeing the elections, vote unlawfully, or spread false news to affect the elections.  

The intensified penalties would also be inflicted against those who disturb the liberty of the elections process using force, threats, distortion or taking part in rallies or demonstrations.

Committee members stressed that the draft law aims to achieve the introduction of deterrent punishments against various types of crimes, which they said: “have a great impact on the will of voters and the electoral process in general”.