38. Is there a ban on vote buying?
![Tonga](https://flagcdn.com/w160/to.png)
Tonga
It is illegal for any person to give or promise to give money or valuable gifts to influence the behavior of voters during the election or within 3 moths of the election. Every person who committs bribery is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and imprisonment for up to 3 years.
Source: Section 21 Bribery, Electoral Act 1989; Section 17, Electoral Amendment Act, 2010.
The penaities for vote buying were increased in 2010 when the fine for committing the offence of bribery was increased from $2,000 to $5,000.