Sweden sees record number of election appeals amid fraud allegations
Swedish authorities have logged over 800 appeals and are investigating dozens of alleged vote-tampering cases after the September 13 election gave the opposition a slim majority.
Sweden’s parliamentary Election Review Board reports that over 800 appeals have been registered after the September 13 general election, breaking the 2018 record of 767. The vote left the four opposition parties, headed by the Social Democrats, with a narrow three-seat majority over Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s right-wing coalition that includes the Sweden Democrats. Magdalena Andersson has been tasked with forming a new government, but her efforts are hampered by growing concerns over alleged election fraud.
A Left Party candidate, Mohamed Abdukardir Ali, won a seat in Borlänge after receiving an unusually large number of personal votes, prompting accusations that ballots were pre-marked and voters offered money. The Swedish Prosecution Authority has opened an investigation into “improper influence on voting in Borlänge linked to the Left Party,” though no arrests have been made. Police have logged 58 reports of possible tampering and note a surge in complaints following the Borlänge case.
Why it matters
The surge in election appeals and fraud probes could affect the formation of Sweden's next government and public confidence in its democratic process.
How this story developed
- Sep 21 Police probe alleged vote-rigging involving pre-marked ballots for Vänsterpartiet candidate in Borlänge
- Sep 22 Party spokesperson Antonio de la Cruz said the party would not comment on the investigation.
- Sep 24 Ali has paused his parliamentary duties pending the outcome of the fraud investigation.
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