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Referendums Framework Bill

Referendum advertising - Offences and penalties in relation to referendum advertising

82: Punishment for corrupt or illegal practice

You could also call this:

"Breaking referendum rules can lead to prison or big fines"

Illustration for Referendums Framework Bill

If you do something corrupt during a referendum, you could go to prison for up to 2 years or get a fine of up to $100,000, or both. You might get a fine if you do something illegal during a referendum, and this fine could be up to $40,000. If you are found guilty of a corrupt practice, the same rules that apply to elections will apply to you, and you will be tried by the High Court under section 28 of this Act, which is similar to an election petition.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1028756.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal lawGovernment and voting > Elections
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81: Offences relating to return of registered promoter’s referendum expenses, or

"Breaking referendum expense rules can lead to big fines"

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83: Time limits for commencing prosecutions under Part, or

"Time limits to start a prosecution under this law"

Part 3Referendum advertising
Offences and penalties in relation to referendum advertising

82Punishment for corrupt or illegal practice

  1. A person who is guilty of a corrupt practice is liable on conviction to either or both of the following:

  2. a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years:
    1. a fine not exceeding $100,000.

      1. A person who is guilty of an illegal practice is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $40,000.

      2. Section 100 of the 1993 Act applies to a person who is guilty of a corrupt practice under this Act as if the person were guilty of a corrupt practice under the 1993 Act and the reference to an election petition were a reference to a referendum petition tried by the High Court under section 28 of this Act.