The Referendum Bill 2025 has introduced significant restrictions to maintain the integrity of polling stations and protect voters. The draft legislation outlines strict penalties for anyone attempting to influence voters illegally.
As detailed in Section 24, it becomes a criminal offense for individuals to identify voters entering polling locations or to set up any tables or booths for recording voter information outside these sites. The Bill explicitly states, “No person must, without lawful authority, endeavor to establish the identity of any person entering a polling station.”
Moreover, individuals are prohibited from congregating outside polling stations, except for those there to vote, and loitering within a 200-meter radius of polling venues on election day is equally forbidden. Political parties are allowed to operate a maximum of two offices on the day of voting, but these must also be located outside the designated exclusion zone. Violating these regulations can result in fines up to $1,000 or a year’s imprisonment.
The bill goes even further in Section 25, which categorizes groups of five or more people who form in a way that could intimidate or disturb voters as an unlawful assembly.
In terms of campaign activities, Section 26 makes it illegal to operate loudspeakers or any sound-producing device in public areas during referendum meetings to avoid disruption. Offenders face penalties comparable to those for voter intimidation, with fines or imprisonment.
Overall, the Referendum Bill 2025 is designed to enhance voter protection, ensuring that polling day remains a fair and accessible process for every citizen. With these measures, there is hope for a more orderly electoral process, fostering an environment where voters can make their choices freely, without undue influence.
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