(1) The written statements ascertaining the violations covered under Articles 470, 471, 474, 475, Articles 480 to 495 herein shall be drawn up by a decision of the competent election commission in accordance with the powers vested therein within three days after receipt of the complaint or alert about the violation. The competent election commission, acting in accordance with the powers vested therein, may alternatively draw up the written statements ascertaining the violations referred to in sentence one on its own initiative.

(2) The written statements ascertaining the violations referred to in Paragraph (1) shall be drawn up by the chairpersons of:

1. (supplemented, SG No. 39/2016, effective 26.05.2016) the Central Election Commission in respect of any violations covered under Article 495 and Article 480 herein: in the cases where the Commission exercises control according to this Code, under Articles 470, 471, 475, 484, 485, Article 490 (2), Article 491 (2), Article 492 and Article 493 herein;

2. the constituency election commissions or the municipal election commissions in respect of any violations covered under Article 495 and Article 480 herein: in the cases where the commissions exercise control according to this Code, Articles 474, 475, Articles 481 to 483, Articles 486 to 489, Article 490 (1), Article 491 (1) and Article 494 herein.

(3) The penalty decrees shall be issued by the regional governors exercising jurisdiction over the place of commission of the violation within three days after the receipt of the case file. If the written statement is against the regional governor, the penalty decree shall be issued by a minister designated by the Council of Ministers.