In Alvesta Municipality, people with intellectual disabilities are being offered a course in democracy and election literacy ahead of this autumn’s election. The course aims to provide participants with a better understanding of how the democratic system works, how to vote, and what the political parties stand for. However, the course’s arrangement has raised questions after it emerged that one of the instructors is also a Social Democratic candidate in the municipal election.

The course is organized by the ABF educational association, and participants have received information about it through the municipality’s LSS services. According to national radio, however, participants are not aware that one of the instructors, Lena Klarefelt, is also running as a Social Democratic candidate in this year’s election.

This has led to questions about whether it is appropriate for an active politician to teach a group that often has lower voter turnout and can be especially dependent on support in navigating civic issues. At the same time, it is pointed out that the explicit aim of the course is to strengthen participants’ knowledge of democracy and increase their ability to make informed decisions themselves.

ALSO READ: EXPOSED: Voting buses collect immigrants’ votes – “Don’t know what the voting card is”

Lena Klarefelt herself rejects the criticism, arguing that her political engagement does not influence her teaching. In an interview with Swedish Radio, she assures that she would never “force anyone to vote for who I vote for.”

Continues As Planned

The issue highlights a broader debate about how education on democracy and elections should be organized. Similar initiatives for people with intellectual disabilities have been carried out in several parts of the country during past election campaigns. The background is that voter turnout in this group has historically been significantly lower than in the general population, while many report uncertainty about how the voting process works.

ALSO READ: Social Democrat boss campaigned in mosque – handed out election envelopes with S ballots

Proponents of such courses argue that they strengthen participation in democracy and make it easier for more people to exercise their right to vote. Critics in this case, however, question whether someone who is themselves running in the election should be teaching a municipally promoted course about politics and democracy.

The course will continue as planned during the 2026 election year. There is currently no information to suggest that the municipality or the organizer intends to adjust the course arrangement.

ALSO READ: SD Chair: Why Sweden Democrats are the obvious party for women