TALKING POINTS

Regulation on Offences during Voter Registration
The Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) has approved the “Regulation on Offences during Voter Registration”. According to the regulation, it is considered an offense when a person:

   · Applies to register when not meeting the registration criteria. For example, it is an       offence to seek to register if you are under age (will not have reached the age of       18    by 20 June 2004)
   · Registers any other person but himself or herself. According to the registration       regulation, you have to register in person
   · Holds more than one registration card at a time
   · Gives a false name or uses another person’s name
   · Presents false identification documents
   · Makes any changes to the registration card
   · Makes false statements when knowing they are false i.e. when a person has been       denied the right to register on the grounds that they do not qualify, it is an       offence   for a witness to lie on their behalf
   · Intimidates people not to register
   · Advocates national, racial or religious hatred that can lead to hostility or violence       towards the registration process
   · Causes any obstructions to the registration process
   · Removes or destroys documents placed by the JEMB related to the registration of       voters

It is also an offence when:
   · A registration official refuses to register an Afghan person applying for registration       without due cause
   · A registration official destroys registration records or materials without the due       authority, or loses records and materials through negligence

Any person who believes that a regulation offence has been committed can file their complaint to any registration official, whether employed by UNAMA or IAEC, or directly to the police.

Based on the complaint, the JEMB may issue warnings, withdraw an offender’s registration card, or disqualify the offender from registering and voting. The JEMB can also refer the offender to the relevant law enforcement or prosecutorial authorities, and the offender may receive a punishment of six months to two years imprisonment and/or a penalty of 3000 to 24,000 Afghanis, depending on the level of the offense.

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