Inquiries and legal proceedings

The Election Act (s. 491) gives the Directeur général des élections du Québec the power to inquire, of his own initiative or at the request of another person, into the application of the Act.

To carry out his inquiries, the Directeur général des élections du Québec or any person he designates can summon witnesses or compel individuals to submit documents.

The Directeur général des élections du Québec also has the power to institute legal proceedings (s. 569) for the offences stipulated in the Election Act. Prescription of legal proceedings occurs one year after the knowledge by the Directeur général des élections du Québec of the perpetration of the offence.

However, no legal proceedings may be instituted if more than five years have elapsed since the perpetration of the offence