After the state election in Saxony, attempts at fraud have come to light. Several ballot papers were manipulated – presumably in favor of the right-wing extremist Free Saxony party.
The Saxon state election is overshadowed by attempts at manipulation. During the counting of postal votes, manipulated ballot papers were discovered in several constituencies, the police announced. Unknown persons had covered the already marked cross on postal ballot papers and instead marked the right-wing extremist micro-party Free Saxony. The State Criminal Police Office has now taken over the investigation. The “Sächsische Zeitung” had previously reported on the incident.
There are now around 130 manipulated ballot papers. The police announced earlier this morning that they had begun investigations into suspected electoral fraud. According to current information, around 117 ballot papers were forged in various Dresden constituencies. The police also now have 14 forged ballot papers from two electoral districts in the Radeberg district in the southwest of the Bautzen district in Saxony.
Election committee decides on invalid ballot papers
In response to a request from the German Press Agency, the electoral authority in Dresden said that the Dresden electoral districts 36011 and 36012 in Langebrück in the north of Dresden were affected. In electoral district 36012, the Free Saxons did remarkably well. There they received 10.2 percent each with 59 direct votes and 60 list votes. Overall, the small party received 2.2 percent in the state election.
Due to the ongoing investigations and the ongoing election audit, Dresden’s election director Markus Blocher does not currently want to comment on the incidents, a city spokesman said. The state election management was informed of the irregularities on Monday and a complaint was filed. The district election committee will decide on the result of the election audit by the Dresden election authority on Thursday – also with regard to the number of possible invalid ballot papers. The final result of the eight Dresden constituencies will also be determined.
When asked, the state election commission said that it was currently examining possible measures due to the electoral law implications of the manipulated ballot papers. “This will involve coordination with both the electoral bodies at the local level and with the law enforcement authorities,” explained a spokeswoman. Before that, however, “it is the task of the district election committees, as independent electoral bodies, to decide on any concerns about the proper conduct of the election and to make the indicated decisions.” The state election committee is expected to decide on electoral law consequences on September 13.
AfD speaks of “major electoral fraud”
Just like the Saxon AfD, the Free Saxons are classified by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a right-wing extremist endeavor. According to the Office, they are a group of neo-Nazis, officials of the former NPD and other members or sympathizers of the scene, organized as a party.
On their Telegram channel, the Free Saxons denied having anything to do with the manipulation of the ballot papers. “Of course, that’s nonsense, well over 50,000 Saxons voted for us,” they said.
AfD social politician André Wendt, on the other hand, speaks of “major electoral fraud” to the detriment of the AfD. All votes in Saxony should therefore be checked or recounted, Wendt demanded in a statement.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
