Ref: 21/2021

Date: 18 February 2021

Time: 11:30 GMT

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) follows the latest hack into the Central Elections Commission’s (CEC) website and manipulation of polling centers for a large number of voters within the same residential community without their knowledge. PCHR emphasizes that tampering with the electoral registry constitutes a felony and an electoral offence, whose perpetrator should be punished by detention and fine.

CEC announced on its website that it has received complaints from citizens in Hebron emphasizing that their polling centers have been changed without their knowledge; thus, CEC responded immediately and returned the registered voters to their original polling centers. CEC added in its statement that it has filed a prompt complaint to the Attorney General, enclosing all the data proving that persons from outside the CEC committed this violation. CEC called upon all citizens to verify their data and report any changes that occur without their knowledge.

Tampering with or manipulating the official electronic electoral registry constitutes a felony according to Article 11 of the Cybercrime Law, which considers this a forgery of  an official electronic document that shall be punished by imprisonment for a term no less than five years and a fine no less than three thousand Jordanian Dinars (approximately 4,231 U.S Dollars).

It should be noted that tampering with the electoral registry is considered an election offence that is punished by imprisonment or fine as per Law by decree No. (1) of 2007, pertaining to general elections, as Article ((108-1 considers that any person who commits one of the following actions has committed an electoral offence: “Tampers with any ballot box, voter registries or paper prepared for voting, or steals or destroys any of the registries or papers, or fails to put them in the box, or undertakes any action that is intended to damage the integrity of electoral procedures and confidentiality thereof. Such offences are punishable by the maximum punishment as stipulated in this article.” The Article also stipulates, “Any act, omission, refrain, failure, or neglect of any duty stipulated by this law and for which there is no specified penalty, shall be considered a crime punishable with a penalty of imprisonment for a period no longer than 3 months, or a fine of not more than 500 USD”

PCHR expresses its appreciation for all efforts exerted by the CEC and affirms its confidence in its professional role in overseeing the preparations for elections, and holding them.

PCHR emphasizes that this election offence is a condemned action that was properly addressed by the CEC; it shall not undermine the credibility of the transparent voter registration process.

PCHR urges all citizens to verify their electoral registration and polling center in order to preserve their right to vote without any obstructions.