Who carries out investigation for election-related criminal offenses?

ELECTION ACT OF THE KINGDOM OF BHUTAN, 2008

CHAPTER 20

ELECTION DISPUTES AND ELECTION PETITIONS

Election Petitions

466. No election to the National Assembly orNational Council or a Local Government shall be called in question,notwithstanding anything contained in any other law,

except by an election petition presented inaccordance with the provisions of this Act.

The Election Commission shall during theelection period, for the purposes of having an efficient, effective, fair andtransparent system for the adjudication of election related offences and settlementof disputes, have in place an Election Dispute Settlement System established inaccordance with the Rules and Regulations made under this Act.

Source: http://www.election-bhutan.org.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ElectionActEnglish.pdf

Election Dispute SettlementRules and Regulations of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2013

4. Election Dispute SettlementSystem

4.1 The Commission shall havein place an Election Dispute Settlement System to hear and redress thecomplaints and grievances relating to elections during the election period.

4.2 The system and theprocedures shall facilitate an efficient, effective, fair and transparentadjudication of election related offences.

5. Election Dispute SettlementBody

5.1 The Commissionshall establish Election Dispute Settlement Bodies at two different levels. 5.2The Body at the national level shall be designated as the Central ElectionDispute Settlement Body (CEDSB). 5.3 The Body at a Dzongkhag shall bedesignated as the Dzongkhag Election Dispute Settlement Body (DEDSB)

7. Functions of the ElectionDispute Settlement Bodies

7.1 The functions of theElection Dispute Settlement Bodies are to:

7.1.1 Receiveelection complaints during the election period;

7.1.2 Direct anInvestigation Committee for further investigation of the complaint relating toan election;

7.1.3 Hearinvestigation report of the Committee and arguments of the Parties and give areasoned decision; and 7.1.4 Provide legal advice on the issues relating toelection dispute as may be referred to by the election officials from time totime. 7.2 The Election Dispute Settlement Bodies, in the discharge of theirduties and functions, shall be generally guided by the legal and judicialprinciples and processes as reflected in the Laws of the land and specificallyfollow the procedures set out in these Rules and Regulations.

Source: