Its staging went up to the Constitutional Council. By showing Sunday in his polling station that he abstained for the second round of the presidential election, the former Resistons candidate Jean Lassalle was reported to the “Sages”. But why ?
The referral to the Constitutional Council was carried out by the National Commission for the Control of the Electoral Campaign for the Presidential Election (CNCCEP). She reacted to the video broadcast by Jean Lassalle on social networks.
In his polling station in the town of Lourdios-Ichère (of which he was mayor from 1977 to 2017), the presidential candidate (3.13% in the first round), filmed himself in front of the ballot box, pretending to vote but finally returning the envelope to one of the assessors, to symbolize his abstention.
However, the electoral code stipulates that “any discussion or deliberation of the voters is prohibited inside the polling stations”. Similarly, the president of the polling station must record in the minutes of the day “any complaint from voters or delegates of candidates or lists”. Jean Lassalle’s act, as well as his speech, must therefore be notified.
Penalties provided, but also leniency
Judicial speaking, violation of the secrecy of the vote is punishable by a fine of 15,000 euros and one year in prison (or only one of these two penalties). A “cancellation of all electoral operations” of the polling station can even be pronounced. The site of the Constitutional Council nevertheless warns that in the event of a strictly individual attitude, indulgence may be in order.
In his video, Jean Lassalle said he was “aware” of the consequences that his act could have. He affirmed that he would assume it, explaining that he was entering “a form of political maquis”. The Constitutional Council must deliver its opinion on Wednesday April 27, when it will deliver the more general one on the entire presidential election.