Swedish voter fraud probe raises concerns about ballot practices in Norway
A Swedish police investigation into alleged pre-filled ballot distribution among immigrants has prompted warnings that similar tactics could occur in Norway.
Police in Sweden are currently probing accusations that immigrant groups received voting papers already marked with candidate choices, a practice that could undermine election integrity. The author points to a February 2025 LIM poll of 4,621 adults on Norway's east side, which asked participants whether they had been given pre-filled ballots; a significant portion of non-Western immigrants answered affirmatively or expressed uncertainty.
Past Norwegian scandals, including a 2007 investigation of an Ap politician in Drammen and earlier reports from 2003 and 1991, are highlighted as precedents. The piece argues that while increasing immigrant turnout is positive, distributing pre-filled ballots must be condemned and clarified under criminal law, which currently only penalises overt coercion or bribery. The columnist calls for stricter legislation to prevent any repeat of the Swedish situation in Norway.
