Art. 496. (1) The written statements ascertaining the violations covered under Art. 470, 471, 474, 475, Art. 480 to 495 herein shall be drawn up by decision of the respective election commission in accordance with the powers vested therein within three days after receipt of the alert or complaint about the violation. The respective election commission in accordance with the powers vested may draw up written statements ascertaining violations under the first sentence herein and on its own initiative.

(2) The written statements ascertaining the violation referred to in para. 1 shall be drawn up by the chairpersons of.

1. (suppl. - SG 39/16, in force from 26.05.2016) Central Election Commission for violations under Art. 495 and Art. 480 - in the cases where the said commission exercises control according to this Code, under Art.. 470, 471, 475, 484, 485, Art. 490, para. 2, Art.. 491, para. 2, Art. 492 and Art. 493;

2. the constituency or the municipal election commissions in respect of any violations referred to in Art. 495 and Art. 480 - in the cases where the said commission exercises control according to this Code, Art. 474, 475, Art. 481 to 483, Art. 486 to 489, Art. 490, para. 1, Art. 491, para. 1 and Art. 494.

(3) (Suppl. - SG 21/19, in force from 12.03.2019, amend. – SG, 88/20) The penalty decrees shall be issued by the regional governors exercising jurisdiction over the place of commission of the violation within three days after receipt of the case file, with the exception of violations under Art. 474, 475, 480 and 484, where the penal decrees shall be issued by the chairman of the Central Election Commission or by officials, authorized by him. If the act is against the Regional governor, the penal decree shall be issued by a Minister, assigned by the Council of Ministers.