YEREVAN. – The Armenian government offers to increase fines for violations registered during the elections.

Deputy Justice minister Arthur Hovhannisyan presented the draft package in the parliament, saying that the government plans to increase the fine to 100, 000 drams.

According to him, the government decided to minimize and subsequently prevent influence and pressure on voters during the election campaign, and this is the target of the draft law.

“We really need to ensure that citizens can vote freely and easily,” the deputy minister said.

Hovhannisyan explained that it is proposed to ban any charitable activity during the campaign. In addition, it is proposed to punish not only the bribery of voters, but also the promise to give bribes. A fine will vary from 100,000 to 400,000 drams, while the violator may also face imprisonment for up to five years.

The legislative package provoked criticism of the deputies from the Republican Party of Armenia and the Tsarukyan bloc.