Electoral commission delays decision on alleged violations by Žemaitaitis and “Nemuno aušra”

The Central Electoral Commission (VRK) has postponed its decision on potential serious violations of election laws by the “Nemuno aušra” party and its leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis during the 2024 parliamentary and presidential election campaigns, as reported by LRT.

Six commission members voted in favor of the delay, while five abstained. The commission will wait two weeks for new documents regarding the origin of funds linked to the party’s vice-chairman, Robert Puchovičius, and has extended its investigation until August 20.

VRK member Olga Kilkinova requested the postponement to allow two companies to submit accounting and financial documents that could clarify the source of the funds. Some commission members argued that the current scope of the investigation was sufficient, but others agreed to grant additional time for document submission.

Kilkinova also proposed that the companies involved in the investigation be allowed to request information from the State Tax Inspectorate, but this suggestion did not receive support.

The commission’s investigation found that “Nemuno aušra” may have financed its 2024 parliamentary election campaign through donations from legal entities and third parties, which constitutes a serious violation of the Election Code. Additionally, the party may have violated the law by accepting and using membership fees paid through third parties, amounting to €4,300, part of which came from a legal entity.

The VRK also determined that the party may have funded its parliamentary election campaign through Puchovičius, who allegedly acted as an intermediary in transferring funds from the companies “Tvari statyba” and “Lajota,” totaling €24,200. Puchovičius is the sole shareholder of both companies. He is also alleged to have intermediated the transfer of €4,500 from “Tvari statyba” to finance Žemaitaitis’ presidential election campaign.

Among those who paid membership fees through third-party funds was Puchovičius’ wife, Eva Puchovič, who paid a €1,500 membership fee using money received from her husband’s company “Tvari statyba.” Puchovičius’ father, Edvardas Puchovičius, also paid a €2,500 membership fee using funds provided by his son, as his bank account balance was insufficient.

The VRK proposes recognizing that Puchovičius, by intermediating and transferring his own or funds received from legal entities to third parties to pay membership fees to the political party, violated the Law on Political Organizations. Similar violations are proposed to be recognized for Eva Puchovič, Edvardas Puchovičius, and Paulius Kazilionis. Additionally, Puchovičius may be found to have violated the Election Code.