Viedma casino fined for violating electoral blackout during Argentina’s elections
The establishment is among the 15 establishments fined for operating during the legally mandated blackout.
Argentina’s Electoral Court has issued fines to 15 commercial establishments in Viedma for violating electoral blackout regulations during the October 26 legislative elections, with the city’s casino remaining open until 5:00 AM on election day.
The violations occurred during the electoral blackout period, which under Argentina’s National Electoral Code prohibits certain commercial activities from 8:00 AM on Friday, October 24, until 9:00 PM on Sunday, October 26. The restrictions are designed to ensure transparency and prevent undue influence on voters during the election period.
According to the Electoral Court, at least 15 establishments, including bars, breweries and nighttime venues, operated during the restricted hours. The Viedma casino was among those sanctioned, having remained open until 5:00 AM on Sunday while voting was set to begin three hours later at 8:00 AM.
Under Argentina’s National Electoral Code, establishments that sell alcoholic beverages must remain closed from 8:00 PM on Saturday until 9:00 PM on Sunday. The legislation specifies that persons who sell alcoholic beverages from 12 hours before until three hours after the completion of electoral activities face imprisonment ranging from 15 days to six months.
The Electoral Court applied financial sanctions to all violators, though specific fine amounts were not disclosed. The court confirmed that the violations represented breaches of electoral law rather than discretionary matters.
The casino did not issue any public statement regarding the violation or the subsequent fine.
In the October 26 elections, more than 36 million Argentinians could vote to elect 127 national deputies and 24 senators. The electoral blackout, which in other countries is referred to as a reflection period, serves to provide citizens with time to consider their voting decisions without media or commercial influences.
The Electoral Court emphasized that the blackout period is “not decorative” and that operating commercial establishments during restricted hours constitutes a violation of national electoral law rather than an act of civil disobedience.
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