On June 1, a specialized court upheld the ruling issued by the Supreme Election Commission (SEC) on August 1, 2024, confirming that a violation of the prohibition against bribing voters had taken place. The investigation focused on statements made by P. Gražulis during the European Parliament (EP) campaign.
These promises were disseminated through multiple channels, including candidates’ debates held at the Vilnius town hall, his personal social media account, and political advertisements in the “Plungė” newspaper. Specifically, the SEC determined that Mr. Gražulis had pledged to allocate a portion of the future MEP’s salary directly to the voters.
The Commission concluded that such promises constituted an attempt to influence the decisions of voters, thereby violating established provisions of the Electoral Act. The Regional Administrative Court’s report emphasized a critical aspect of electoral law. The court clarified that the Electoral Code prohibits not only the direct or indirect exchange of votes for compensation but also any commitment to provide remuneration to voters subsequent to the election.
This ruling reinforces the legal boundary concerning campaign conduct. Ultimately, the court’s decision affirms that promising future financial benefits to voters—even if framed as post-election compensation—falls under the scope of prohibited electoral malpractice. The judgment serves as a clear judicial precedent regarding the boundaries of campaigning and maintaining the integrity of the voting process.
Topics: #voters #court #allocate
A specialized court confirmed a Supreme Election Commission ruling on June 1, 2024, establishing that P. Gražulis violated electoral law. The court found that a pledge by Gražulis to allocate a portio
What specific provisions of the Electoral Code were allegedly violated by P. Gražulis’s pledge?