Guidelines for the European Parliament Elections 2009

L. Offences and penalties applicable to election agents at the election

2.50 If a person who is not authorised to do so incurs expenditure or makes a payment in relation to the election, he or she on conviction may be fined up to €1,269.74.

2.51 The penalty if an election agent is found guilty of the offence of exceeding the expenditure limit is a fine of up to €1,269.74.

2.52 Payment of claims received more than 45 days after polling day (i.e. after 20 July 2009) can result in a fine of up to €1,269.74.

2.53 Failure to make such enquiries and maintain such records as are necessary for the purpose of furnishing an Election Expenses Statement and making a Statutory Declaration may result in a fine of up to €1,269.74.

2.54 Failure to furnish an Election Expenses Statement and Statutory Declaration to the Standards Commission by the statutory deadline (i.e. 31 July 2009) can result in a fine of up to €1,269.74 and an on-going fine of up to €126.97 for each day, after a conviction, on which the Statement and Declaration are still outstanding.

2.55 Failure to provide supplementary information relating to an Election Expenses Statement as requested by the Standards Commission can result in a fine of up to €1,269.74.

2.56 Knowingly furnishing a false or misleading Election Expenses Statement to the Standards Commission can result in a fine of up to €25,394.76 and/or up to three years imprisonment.

2.57 Failure to furnish to the Standards Commission, within seven days after the date of the order, a copy of a court order for the payment of a disputed claim may result in a fine of up to €1,269.74.

Back to contents