Latest news with #voteBuying
Asharq Al-Awsat
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
After al-Sadr's Boycott, al-Abadi Withdraws from Iraq's Upcoming Elections
Following the decision by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Sadrist Movement to uphold its boycott of Iraq's parliamentary elections, former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has also announced that his Victory Coalition will withdraw in protest against 'political money' and the lack of safeguards to prevent its misuse. Al-Sadr has repeatedly declared that systemic financial and political corruption is the main reason his movement refuses to participate. Al-Abadi's coalition echoed similar concerns, saying the upcoming November vote has been overshadowed by unrestrained spending and vote-buying. Despite efforts by political forces to convince the Sadrists to reconsider, al-Sadr remained resolute. While he did direct his supporters to update their voter records, it is still unclear whether he will ultimately endorse any of the electoral lists reportedly registered under different names by allied groups. The Victory Coalition formally notified its partners in the National State Forces Alliance that it will not field its own candidates, becoming the second major Shiite bloc to step aside. In a statement, the coalition said it remains committed to democratic principles but refuses to legitimize an election 'driven by political money, lacking serious enforcement of legal measures to prevent manipulation, vote-buying, misuse of public resources, and foreign funding.' The coalition stressed that a political entity's credibility stems from its conduct, which defines its true influence. Meanwhile, the Independent High Electoral Commission has begun reviewing candidate lists submitted by parties and alliances after the nomination period closed. Commission spokesperson Imad Jameel confirmed that officials are verifying documents to ensure candidates meet eligibility criteria, with background checks to be completed within 15 days. As millions of Sadrist supporters face the likelihood of sitting out the election, traditional Shiite factions are positioning themselves as the natural political heirs and preparing to court disillusioned voters, particularly in Baghdad. Separately, an official source revealed that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, leader of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, plans to run about 470 candidates nationwide. Al-Sudani will hold the top slot in Baghdad. Former Speaker of Parliament and Taqaddum leader Mohammed al-Halbousi also plans to contest Baghdad rather than Anbar, seeking to secure a strong Sunni presence in the capital. These moves signal an intense contest for dominance in Baghdad, as al-Sudani may capitalize on Sadrist absence to expand Shiite support, while al-Halbousi's campaign could reshape the sectarian balance in Iraq's political heartland.
Japan Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Hyogo governor referred to prosecutors over alleged vote-buying
Police referred Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito to prosecutors Friday on suspicion of vote-buying over his alleged payments to a public relations company for campaign activities in the prefecture's gubernatorial election last November, people familiar with the investigation said. The prefectural police sent papers on Saito, 47, to prosecutors after a criminal complaint was filed last December over the governor's alleged payments in violation of the public offices election law. The police also sent papers on the 33-year-old president of the PR firm. Saito has also been referred to prosecutors for an alleged breach of trust related to a victory parade for local baseball teams. The governor has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Speaking to reporters in Kobe on Friday, Saito said, "There is no change in my recognition that I've acted in compliance with laws, including the public offices election law." The PR company president has not responded to requests for comment. Saito is suspected of paying ¥715,000 to the PR firm on Nov. 4 last year for work on his re-election campaign, which included planning a PR strategy and managing the campaign's social media presence. The PR company president said in an online post on Nov. 20, 2024, three days after the election, that her company had been tasked with overall PR activities by Saito's team. The governor later refuted her claim during a news conference. In December, a lawyer and a university professor filed a criminal complaint against Saito over the alleged payments. After the PR firm refused to cooperate adequately with requests for voluntary questioning and document submissions, investigators seized evidence, including a smartphone, during a raid on the company's office in February. Saito first took office as Hyogo governor in August 2021. After being ousted from the post by the prefectural assembly last September over harassment allegations, he won re-election two months later.
The Guardian
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Defeated Romanian ultranationalist says he will ask court to annul presidential election
The defeated ultranationalist candidate in Romania's presidential election rerun has said he will ask the country's top court to annul the vote on the same grounds – foreign interference – that led to the original ballot being cancelled last year. George Simion, who was defeated in Sunday's runoff by the liberal mayor of Bucharest, Nicuşor Dan, said on Tuesday he would ask the constitutional court to void the ballot 'for the same reasons they annulled the elections' last year. The election, which Dan won by a margin of 53.6% to 46.4%, was the second time the vote had been held. The first, last November, was cancelled by the court after the first round amid allegations of campaign financing violations and a 'massive' Russian interference campaign. The winner of the annulled vote, far-right firebrand Călin Georgescu, was barred from standing again and is under formal investigation on counts including misreporting campaign spending, illegal use of digital technology and promoting fascist groups. He denies any wrongdoing. 'Just as Călin Georgescu was removed and the elections were annulled, we will challenge the election of Nicușor Dan for exactly the same reasons,' Simion, an EU-critical, Trump-admiring former soccer ultra, said in a statement to local media. 'Why? Because there was vote buying,' said Simion, who formally conceded to Dan on Sunday night after first claiming to have won. 'Because dead people voted on 18 May, and no calculation in the world can show us over 11.5 million Romanians voted.' Simion has repeatedly alleged electoral fraud without providing evidence. His belated decision to contest the election's outcome, while unlikely to succeed, will prolong the political uncertainty in Romania, which is under caretaker government. The ultranationalist, whose supporters carried out a parallel count at some polling stations, said votes were 'correctly counted' but 'international observers' had seen 'foreign interference' and 'social media and algorithms have been manipulated'. He claimed there was 'irrefutable evidence' of meddling by France, Moldova and others in 'an orchestrated effort to manipulate institutions, direct media narratives and impose a result that does not reflect the sovereign will of the Romanian people'. Simion referenced a suggestion by the founder of the Telegram messaging app, Pavel Durov, that Paris had asked it to 'silence conservative voices' in Romania. France has 'categorically rejected' what it called 'completely unfounded allegations'. Sign up to Headlines Europe A digest of the morning's main headlines from the Europe edition emailed direct to you every week day after newsletter promotion Russian-born Durov, who also has French nationality, is being investigated by France in connection with alleged criminal activity on the app, including child abuse images and drug trafficking. Telegram has said it abides by EU law and denies the platform facilitates illegal activities. The far-right candidate said he had congratulated Dan on election night because 'I love Romania, the Romanian people, and I never want to see bloodshed.' The count may have been correct, he said, 'but before and during it, there was manipulation'. He acknowledged there was 'little chance that my request to the court will pass', but said he was 'appealing to all Romanians of good faith to … demand the cancellation of this masquerade'. He would provide those who wished with a template, he said.
South China Morning Post
19-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Violence, ‘credible' signs of vote-buying mar Philippines midterm election: EU observers
Vote-buying, entrenched political dynasties and deadly violence cast a shadow over the Philippines' midterm election , according to European Union observers, who warned the country's democracy faced serious structural challenges despite a strong turnout at the ballot box. The May 12 poll, overseen by the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) witnessed high turnout and robust media coverage, but also 'unacceptable levels of election-related violence' and 'credible indications' of vote-buying through cash, goods and partisan welfare handouts, the mission's chief observer Marta Temido told a press conference on Wednesday. Temido, a member of the European Parliament, said voters had shown 'strong commitment to democracy and civic values despite the persistence of vote-buying' – a practice the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had only 'partially addressed' through stricter regulations. The EU deployed its mission following a formal request from the Philippine government, with observers monitoring campaign activities, voter turnout and security conditions across dozens of provinces. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr shows his inked finger to the media after casting his vote in the country's midterm election on May 12. Photo: Kyodo Temido said the election had taken place against the backdrop of limited electoral competitiveness due to 'the continued dominance of a few political families' and 'subjective limitations on the right to stand'.
Free Malaysia Today
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
No money politics complaints in PKR, says Saifuddin
PKR central leadership council member Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said paying for venues to host dinners and renting tents does not equate to vote-buying. GEORGE TOWN : PKR central leadership council member Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says there have been no formal complaints of money politics in the party's ongoing internal election. Responding to concerns raised by PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, Saifuddin clarified that the party's disciplinary board has yet to receive any reports involving vote-buying or similar misconduct. Saifuddin, who is also the Pakatan Harapan secretary-general, stressed that paying for venues to host dinners and renting tents does not equate to vote-buying. 'Money politics is defined as giving money in exchange for support and I don't think PKR is at that level,' he told reporters after attending a Prisons' Day event here. 'If it's about using money to organise events like dinners, renting tents, paying for hotel rooms or restaurants, I think that does happen.' Saifuddin, who is home minister, noted that using funds for legitimate campaign expenses is common practice but cautioned against excessive spending. 'I agree that it should not appear lavish. Our supporters and society in general are very sensitive nowadays. 'Grand dinners or events at top hotels, and similar expensive venues, are inappropriate,' Saifuddin said. He also encouraged party members to report any evidence of misconduct to the disciplinary board. Saifuddin reflected on the party's early days in 1998 and 1999, saying events were once held in roadside stalls and homes due to limited resources. 'Back then, even our party congresses were held in Chinese schools because no other venues were willing to accommodate us.' He added that although the party now enjoys better support, its leaders should remain grounded. At a ceramah in Kota Bharu yesterday, Rafizi warned against engaging in money politics during the party's current election campaign. 'This risk is real, and we must admit it. Don't try to deceive the public by claiming we're completely free from it. People no longer believe that,' he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian. Saifuddin today also addressed his relationship with both Rafizi and Nurul Izzah Anwar, describing them as his 'younger brother' and 'younger sister' respectively. As a senior party figure, he wished them well and urged all candidates to conduct their campaigns ethically. Last week, Saifuddin was reported to have said that he decided not to contest for any position in the party's central leadership polls on May 23 as he wanted to focus on the party's broader political struggle.
