(1) Within one hundred and twenty days after receiving the signature gathering forms under section 14 (1) or (2), but not later than within one hundred and twenty days after the tenth day following an event referred to in section 14 (1), the organiser may submit the signature gathering forms of the citizens’ initiative for a national referendum to the National Election Office on a single occasion for the verification of signatures. The period specified in section 18 (1) and the period of suspension under section 19/B (6) b) shall not be calculated into this time limit.

(2)

(3) At the time of the submission under paragraph (1), but not later than on the last day of the time limit for the submission of signature gathering forms under paragraph (1), the organiser shall hand over all signature gathering forms to the National Election Office. If he fails to comply with this obligation, the National Election Commission shall impose a fine ex officio pursuant to the provisions of section 18 (2).

(4) Signatures on signature gathering forms that are submitted late or as a supplement or by a person other than the organiser or handed over pursuant to section 19/A (1) shall be invalid.