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Article 59
 

59.1. The relevant election commission shall check the accuracy of the information included in the documents mentioned by this Code and the signature sheets of each candidate, as well whether the information on nomination of candidates is in compliance with the requirements of this Code. The relevant election commission shall check the accuracy of personal and other information on the candidates, submitted in accordance by this Code by the candidates themselves, political parties, a bloc of political parties and voters.


59.2. An election commission may apply to the relevant bodies to check the accuracy of information and facts submitted in accordance with this Code. Those bodies should inform the election commissions on the results of their investigation within the period defined by the election commission. if there are less than 40 days remaining before Voting Day, the information should be provided within the period of one-day. The relevant election commission may decide to create working groups of experts invited to check the accuracy of signatures and relevant information. The working groups should be chaired by the member of the commission establishing the group. independent experts, specialists from the relevant bodies, and specialists of bodies and organizations carrying out registration of population may be involved in such an investigation and receive a fee set by the Central Election Commission. Their opinions shall be accepted as the basis for approving or rejecting the accuracy of the information in the signature sheets. The election commissions may use the voters’ lists and the civil registry to check the accuracy of information in the signature sheets.


59.3. Candidates and their authorized representatives, and authorized representatives of political parties or blocs of political parties, may be present at checking of signature sheets at the relevant election commission. The relevant election commission should inform the above-mentioned persons about examination of documents in advance. The election commission may not object to or obstruct the participation of the above-mentioned persons sent by a candidate, political party and bloc of political parties in these events. All signatures in the voter lists should be examined.


59.4. The checking of signatures should be stopped when the number of verified signatures provides sufficient ground for registering the candidate, or when the number of the remaining signatures is insufficient for registering the candidate. The accuracy/inaccuracy of voters’ signatures should be approved by the results of the investigation.


59.5. Signatures crossed out in the signature sheets before submission to the relevant election commission shall not be checked or taken into consideration, provided the persons collecting signatures made pertinent notes on the sheets regarding the cross outs.


59.6. if one person’s signature appears multiple times during the checking the signature sheets, only one of that person’s signatures shall be considered valid and the others shall be considered incorrect.


59.7. Along with the provisions of Article 59.6 of this Code, the following signatures shall also be considered incorrect:


59.7.1. The signatures of voters who do not have the right to vote or who provided incorrect information, as determined by the opinion of the specialists mentioned in Article 59.2 of this Code or by a statement given by the relevant executive authority;


59.7.2. Signatures of voters entered into the signature sheets before the notification on nomination of the candidate is sent to the relevant election commission;


59.7.3. Signatures considered invalid in accordance with the violation of requirements of Article 57.1 of this Code;


59.7.4. Signatures made by one person on behalf of several people, or by several people on behalf of one person; and


59.7.5. Signatures, which are not signed by hand or are signed in pencil.


59.8. if dates of signatures have been corrected on the signature sheets, these signatures shall be considered correct provided the person approving the signature sheets also approves such corrections.


59.9. None of the signatures in the signature sheets shall be considered valid if the sheets are not certified with the handwritten signature of the person collecting the signatures, or if the signature of the authorized representative of a candidate, political party, or bloc of political parties is not correct.


59.10. With the exception of the cases mentioned in Articles 59.7- 59.9 of this code, if a written row in a signature sheet does not fulfill the requirements of this Code, only the signature in this particular row shall be considered invalid.


59.11. under Articles 59.6. - 59.10 of this Code, if a signature is not determined to be invalid during the investigation into the accuracy of signatures and the calculating of their quantity, then changes and notes/comments made in an acceptable manner on the signature list should not be a reason for considering the signature invalid.


59.12. in accordance with Articles 59.6 - 59.10 of this Code, a candidate shall not be registered if the number of valid signatures after removal of invalid signatures is less than the number of signatures required for registration.


59.13. The head of the working group and a member of the relevant election commission with decisive voting rights shall prepare a protocol on the results of the checking of the signature sheets of each candidate, sign it, and submit to the Election Commission for a decision. The protocol shall indicate the number of checked signatures and the number of invalid signatures. The protocol shall be attached to the relevant decision of Election Commission. A copy of the protocol shall be given to the candidate and authorized representative of political party or bloc of political parties at least 24 hours prior to the election commission meeting on registration of a candidate. in the case the number of signatures is below the required number A candidate, a political party, or bloc of political parties shall have the right to get the following documents if, during the examination of signatures, the number of the signatures is less than the required quantity:


• a copy of the protocol approved by the head of the working group;


• the reasons for considering signatures invalid, including the number of a relevant folder and number of the line in the relevant signature sheet; and


• A copy of the table on the results of the examination.