HM the King ratifies, issues Law 14/2016

Manama, June 16 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa today ratified and issued Law 14/2016 on amending some provisions of Decree-law 14/2002 with respect to the Exercise of Political Rights. According to Article (1) of the law, Article (30) of Decree-law 14/2002 stipulates that a prison sentence not exceeding two years, and a fine of no more than BD2.000, or either penalty shall be imposed upon anybody who deliberately submits wrong information regarding the voting, damages voting documents, participates in the elections or referendum illegally, undermines the exercise of the right to vote through using violence or taking part in illegal assemblies or rioting, votes more than one on the election day, insults election officials or disseminates false information about the election, the topic of the referendum or the conduct of one of the candidates. The amended Article (31) of Decree-law 14/2002 stipulates that a prison sentence not exceeding three years, and a fine of no more than BD3.000, or either penalty shall be the punishment of any public employee who is related to the voting process and commits one of the crimes cited in the amended Article (30) of Decree-Law 14/2002. The Prime Minister and the relevant ministers shall implement this law, which shall take effect a day after its publication in the Official Gazette.