ELECTIONS OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT OF UKRAINE, 2019 Examples of government officials’ interference in receiving and storing ballots: 1) In addition to PEC members, representatives of government authorities or the institution where the polling station is located who do not have certificates for participating in the specific election, are present at the ballot reception meeting; 2) During the meeting, a PEC member informs third parties by telephone and consults (for example, with representatives of local self-government or local state administrations) about the meeting. If a PEC member receives or follows instructions from government officials, their actions contain elements of a crime under part 4 of Article 157 of the Criminal Code (interference of an official in the discharge of duties in the exercise of obligations established by law, committed via an illegal request or instruction to influence the election commission or referendum commission decision). 19