Senate tacitly passed a legislative proposal introducing mandatory voting for Romanian citizens.
The project, initiated by deputies Tudor Ciuhodaru and Mircia Giurgiu, provides drastic penalties for vote absence: a fine of RON 1,000 for the first absence; a fine of RON 1,000 and restricting the access to any sorts of fiscal benefits from the state, and a fine of RON 1,000 plus suspension of the right to vote for more than two absences.
According two deputies, mandatory voting would lead to a drastic reduction of election fraud and bribes, would make candidates and parties more responsible and would give more legitimacy to Parliament and the president.
The project now goes to the Chamber of Deputies, which has the final decision in the case.
