YEREVAN. – The Armenian lawmakers voted unanimously to adopt the draft law introducing amendments to the criminal code and suggesting tougher fines for election fraud at first reading.

The draft bill was supported by 66 lawmakers, the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent reports.

The legislative package will pass the second reading tomorrow.

The government proposed to increase fines for election fraud and to ban any charitable activity during the election 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 offender 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.