The Swedish national broadcaster has stepped in to report on the consequences of the ongoing investigation into suspected election fraud in Borlänge. But in SVT’s coverage, the actual suspicions take a backseat. Instead, the focus is on the risk that the police investigation and media scrutiny could contribute to prejudice and hatred against Somalis in Sweden. There’s also concern that, in the future, voters may hesitate to vote for candidates with a Somali background.
In an interview with SVT, Center Party’s municipal politician Nasteho Mohamed comments on the events in Borlänge. She does not go into detail about the suspicions themselves or whether there could be broader issues related to clan structures.
Clan structures within parts of the Somali diaspora in Sweden have been highlighted by Somali commentator and critic of Islam Mona Walter in an interview with Samnytt.
“In the mosques, young people are taught not to be loyal to the new society. You should not integrate. You should work for us, your clan,” Mona Walter told Samnytt.
In the SVT interview, such issues are not at the forefront as the suspected election fraud scandal expands in Dalarna involving three people, hundreds of pre-marked ballots, and reports of police surveillance photos showing individuals under investigation at an ATM, as well as shuttling voters back and forth to polling stations.
Nasteho Mohamed instead highlights the risk that these matters may lead voters to hesitate to vote for Somali candidates in future elections. Her main concern is that the suspected election fraud case will contribute to increased prejudice and hostility against Somalis.
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“The main worry is what this could lead to, what prejudices and what hatred Somalis will face.”
Wants Support from the Left Party
Nasteho Mohamed is at the same time critical of the Left Party’s handling of the situation around Mohamed Abdukardir Ali, who entered parliament through personal votes. According to Mohamed, the party should have more clearly supported him.
“But what they have done here is put this person on the list and then, when he managed to get enough personal votes to surpass the others and enter parliament, the party withdraws its support. I think that is double standards,” Nasteho Mohamed (C) told SVT.
READ ALSO: Elected Left Party Somali defrauded the municipality of half a million and convicted of four crimes
Mohamed Abdukardir Ali has not been formally notified of any suspicion of crime and has refuted the claims reported in the media regarding the police investigation targeting him and others in Borlänge during the election campaign.
He has also temporarily stepped back from his political duties but has announced that he does not intend to give up his seat in parliament.