Submission and verification of signatures collecting lists

(1) No later than the last day of the period for collecting signatures, the group of initiative draws up minutes, in which indicates the date of registration of the group of initiative, the number of collected signatures and the closing date for the collection of signatures. The minutes, signed by the members of the initiative group, and the signatures collecting lists shall be submitted to the authority which registered the initiative group. After receiving and recording signatures collecting lists, that authority shall not permit the submission of additional signatures collecting lists.

(2) Within 15 days of submission of the signatures collecting lists, the authority which registered the initiative group shall verify the authenticity of the signatures on the submitted lists, within the limit of the number laid down in Article 222 (3). In order to check the signatures collecting lists, that authority shall use the electronic application.

(3) Members of the initiative group nominated in this regards and the accredited observers shall be entitled to assist in verification of the signatures collecting lists submitted based on a request addressed to the authority that registered the corresponding initiative group. The members of the initiative group shall only be entitled to attend the checking of signatures collecting lists submitted by them. The requirements for assisting at the verification of the signatures collecting lists shall be established in the guide laid down in Article 67 (2).

(4) The signatures collecting list shall be invalidated entirely if:

a) is of a different template or series (number) than that issued to the collector by the electoral body;

b) is not being signed by the collector according to the Article 224 (1);

c) does not contain the text of the question.

(5) The signature from the signatures collecting list shall be invalidated if the supporter:

a) recorded personal data but did not affix the signature;

b) is not eligible to vote at the date of signing on the signatures collecting list;

c) entered his/her data from an expired identity document;

d) is being assigned to another Electoral District than the territory of the district where signatures have been collected;

e) entered incorrect identity data on the signatures collecting list, thus not being possible identify him/her.

(6) After verification of the signatures collecting lists, the Central Electoral Commission shall draw up an information note on the outcome of the verification of the signatures collecting lists and shall adopt a decision concerning:

a) the conduct of the Local Referendum in the event of meeting the necessary number of signatures set out in Article 222 (3);

b) reject the initiative to hold the Local Referendum and cancel the registration of the initiative group if the necessary number of signatures has not been submitted.