S-leader outraged as SD reports suspected election fraud: 'Without factual basis'

The Sweden Democrats’ local branch in Norrtälje has turned to the election and democracy committee after two incidents during early voting. In one case, a woman allegedly took the party’s ballot papers and then left the polling station. But according to the top Social Democrat on the committee, it was a ‘misunderstanding,’ and he responded sarcastically to SD’s report, which he claims lacks a ‘factual basis.’

The first incident is said to have taken place at Norrtälje City Library on September 2. According to the Sweden Democrats’ report, the party’s ballots for the municipal council were missing, and an election official reportedly did not take action when the problem was noticed.

It was only after a party representative requested to check the ballots that they were restocked. Andrea Kronvall (SD), group leader for the party and opposition municipal councillor, reacted strongly to the incident.

“The lax handling is very concerning. We are reporting this to find out what happened and how long it has been going on,” Kronvall previously told Norrtelje Tidning.

The account: Left with ballot papers

The second incident allegedly took place at the library in Hallstavik. There, a woman is said to have claimed that the Sweden Democrats’ ballots were invalid. According to local media reports, she then took the ballot papers and left the location. This information was passed to the Sweden Democrats in Norrtälje by an election official.

“If the information is correct, it is outright sabotage. It is deeply problematic, if one wishes to uphold a democratic society, for someone to take it upon themselves to remove our ballots from a polling station,” Kronvall previously told Norrtelje Tidning.

Jimmie Åkesson campaigning in Norrtälje. Photo: Facsimile, Facebook.

Strong interest in the Sweden Democrats in Norrtälje. Photo: Facsimile, Facebook

S leader: ‘Unfortunate’

Conny Andersson (S), chair of the election and democracy committee, confirmed that he was aware of the incident at Norrtälje City Library. He also said that he was not aware of the alleged incident in Hallstavik.

“I see it as deeply unfortunate. It is sabotage against our democratic system. Parties that are approved should of course have the necessary conditions, so there must be ballots available,” the Social Democrat politician previously told Norrtelje Tidning.

At the same time, Conny Andersson (S) told the local newspaper that it is difficult to completely prevent ballots from disappearing from polling stations and voting locations.

SD demanded that both incidents be fully investigated and reported to the Election Authority. At the same time, Andrea Kronvall (SD) expressed concern that similar electoral fraud could continue on election day.

The SD leader urges voters to be vigilant and to contact the party if ballots are missing on election day.

Photo: Facsimile, Facebook / Election Authority

S attacks SD: “Damages democracy”

On Saturday, Conny Andersson (S) released new information in local media about the incident in Hallstavik. He dismissed the claims that there had been any irregularities with SD’s ballots.

The Social Democrat politician instead offered a different, muddled explanation. He claims the misunderstanding was about the Social Democrats’ ballots running out at the party’s election hut outside the polling station. A Social Democrat election worker is said to have approached the polling station manager to ask if it was possible to fetch about 70 new ballot papers.

According to Andersson, permission was given for the election worker to collect the party’s own ballots. He also stated that the Sweden Democrats at the polling station were informed about what had happened and that they were offered the same possibility if their ballots ran out.

According to the Social Democrat, who is chair of the election and democracy committee, there is no information that the Sweden Democrats’ ballots were actually missing from the ordinary ballot stations in the polling station.

Conny Andersson therefore believes that the reports of suspected irregularities arose because of a series of misunderstandings. Instead of expressing understanding for the Sweden Democrats’ concerns and actions, however, he chose to criticize the party. According to Andersson, the alert risks “damaging trust in democracy.”

“There were obviously a number of misunderstandings, and it is unfortunate to report irregularities without factual basis. It damages trust in democracy,” Conny Andersson told Norrtelje Tidning.

Andrea Kronvall (SD) has commented on the new information from the Social Democrat, stating that the party was not offered the opportunity to collect ballot papers as Conny Andersson (S) claims.

She also questions why Andersson objects to SD reporting the incident and describes the report as made ‘without factual basis,’ when such incidents are according to the rules supposed to be reported.