This is set out in Article 143 of the Organic Law on the General Electoral System (LOREG), which states that those who fail to attend or perform their duties, leave the polling station without a legitimate reason, or fail without justification to comply with the obligations to provide an excuse or prior notice may be punished with a prison sentence of between three months and one year or a fine of six to 24 months.
The law does not apply only to those who fail to show up first thing in the morning. It also covers those who, once the polling station has been constituted, decide to leave without a justifying reason. Therefore, attending the polling station and leaving before completing the assigned duties is not an option either if there is no legitimate reason.
HAVING AN EXCUSE IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE ABSENT
Carmen Corral, head of Organization and General Services at Zaragoza City Council, warned that the consequences may result from different breaches. "The penalties apply both for failing to submit the excuse or justification, for not attending that day, and for abandoning the duties without any justification," she explained during the drawing to assign polling station boards.
Therefore, having a health problem, a family obligation or any other circumstance that could justify the absence does not simply allow someone to stay at home. It is necessary to report it formally and follow the established procedure so that the Electoral Board can assess the situation. In this regard, Corral urged citizens not to assume that they are exempt without having received a response: "This must be taken seriously," she stressed.
