There is a distinction between:
- bribery which consists of buying votes,
- bribery of another candidate to withdraw from an electoral contest, and
- other forms of bribery, for instance of members of Parliament. For example, in Germany, the giving of a bribe to a Member of Parliament for the purpose of influencing his vote within the legislature now carries a penalty of at least 6 months in prison and the loss of civic rights.
Penalties for vote buying include:104
Britain
Bribery and the lesser offence of 'treating' are punishable as corrupt practices. See Severity of offences A person found guilty of a corrupt practice is liable on conviction on indictment to up to one year in prison, a fine, or both.
Japan
The Public Office Election Law (1996 revision) invalidates election results if campaign managers, campaign accountants, secretaries of the candidate, or the prospective candidate were convicted of vote buying and punished with a fine or heavier penalty. In addition, the candidate will be banned from becoming a candidate or holding public office in the same electoral district for five years. So far, two Diet members elected in 1996 lower house elections have lost their seats. One resigned before the court ordered a judgement (and is subject to the five year ban), and the other was found guilty. Campaigners who are caught and convicted of bribery in the campaign can be, and often are, given prison sentences. The new law has reduced corruption, but it also appears to have made candidates fearful of engaging even in some legal activities.
Mauritius
A fine not exceeding 2,000 rupees (about U.S.$100) and imprisonment for up to a year. In addition, the convicted person is banned for 7 years from registering to vote, from voting, from being a candidate, or, if elected before his conviction, of retaining his seat.
Mexico
A fine of 10 to 100 days of the minimum wage, plus imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years.
Draft Only
