To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the offences which may be committed in respect of the conduct of referendums; and what are the penalties that may be imposed by the courts on persons found guilty of each of those offences.
Answered on
30 July 2018
The Electoral Commission has a duty under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) to regulate political funding and spending at elections and referendums. The ‘Offences and proposed sanctions’ document on their website sets out the offences and contraventions in PPERA, including the offences and actions which can be taken in respect of the conduct of referendums.
In addition, the Electoral Commission can refer serious offences to the prosecuting authorities
The penalties that courts can impose are set in Schedule 20 of PPERA. If a person is found guilty, penalties may vary from an unlimited fine to a prison sentence of up to a year.
The table of offences and sanctions is attached.