During the Riga City Council’s extraordinary election campaign, which lasted from July 7 to August 29, the KNAB received more than a hundred different types of signals about possible violations of the Pre-election Campaign Law.
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KNAB saw the need for an in-depth investigation in 45 cases, almost half of which were related to online campaigning.
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In seven cases, the KNAB saw grounds to initiate administrative violation proceedings. Most of the possible violations were committed during the so-called silent period – on the day of the Riga City Council extraordinary elections or the day before, when agitation is prohibited.
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These cases relate to the posting of paid pre-election campaigns on social networks, the availability of press publications with pre-election campaigns on those points of sale, as well as invitations to vote sent to Whatsapp and e-mail.
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In three cases, the KNAB terminated the inspection because no signs of a violation were found. The Authority is currently conducting in-depth inspections and will decide to open new administrative infringement proceedings in case of reasonable suspicion.
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The decision to impose a penalty or to terminate the administrative infringement proceedings shall be taken within a maximum of four months from the date of commencement of the administrative infringement proceedings.
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For violations of the Pre-Election Campaigning Law, a warning may be issued or a fine of up to 700 euros may be imposed on natural persons, and a fine of up to 1,400 euros may be imposed on legal persons.
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