Election fraud probe could put Dalarna parliamentary seats at risk

An investigation into suspected election fraud in Borlänge could lead to a re-run of the election in the Dalarna constituency, depending on its outcome, political scientist Erik Wångmar told SVT.

“The parliamentary seats could be at stake here,” said Wångmar, an associate professor at Linnaeus University, on SVT’s Morgonstudion.

The investigation concerns suspected election fraud linked to a personal campaign by Vänsterpartiet candidate Mohamed Abdukardir Ali. According to a police report, pre-marked ballot papers for the parliamentary election were distributed.

“This is absolutely not good for the Left Party. The scale of penalties includes both fines and imprisonment. But it has been a long time since anyone was convicted of this offence,” Wångmar said.

He added that he could not recall the previous case involving a preferential vote for an individual candidate.

Ali has denied any involvement.

“It is completely, completely wrong. I did not do it. I know the law. I have received the trust of voters in every district in Dalarna. It is not something I could do, such a serious crime against Swedish law,” he told SVT News.