MOSCOW, July 4 (RAPSI) – The State Duma Committee for State Building and Legislation has recommended that the lower house adopt a bill introducing punishment of up to 5 years in prison for so-called carousel voting in the first reading, according to the Committee’s website.

The bill was approved by Russia’s Supreme Court and government on June 5. On June 8, the initiative was submitted to the lower house of parliament.

Carousel voting is illegal issuance and obtaining of ballots instead of other voters or bussing from one polling site to another in order to cast multiple votes.

Members of election and referendum commissions would face fines ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 rubles ($3,500 – 8,500), community service of up to 4 years, or imprisonment of up to 4 years for the issuance of ballots to citizens enabling them to vote repeatedly during the election or for other individuals and for issuance of completed voting papers.

Receipt of ballot papers instead of other voters or for repeated voting would result in fines ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 rubles ($1,700 – 5,000), community service of up to 4 years, or prison sentence of up to 4 years.

These crimes committed by an organized group and in collusion would be punished with 100,000 to 300,000 rubles, community service of up to 5 years, or prison terms of up to 5 years.

Amendments are proposed to the Criminal Code of Russia.