Press release, 14 June 2016
On 14 June 2016, the Seimas adopted amendments to Article 11 of the Law on Referendum aimed at facilitating the exercise of citizens’ constitutional rights and enhancing the participation of citizens in the government of the state.
During the collection of signatures for the initiation of a referendum, in accordance with the procedures laid down by the Central Electoral Commission, citizens are permitted to sign the petition by electronic means of communication.
The amendments also extend the time limit from three to six months for the collection of the signatures needed to exercise the right of the citizens’ initiative to call a referendum. The time limit is calculated from the day of issuing the citizen signature sheets and providing access to the electronic form of the citizen signature sheet by the Central Electoral Commission.
The amendments to the Law will take effect as of 1 October 2016. Until then, the Central Electoral Commission will have to adopt the implementing legislation to the Law.
Saulė Eglė Trembo, Press Office, Information and Communication Department, tel. +370 5 239 6203, e-mail: egle.trembo@lrs.lt