Saxon State Criminal Police Investigate Video of Missing AfD Candidates on Mail-In Ballots
The Saxon State Criminal Police (LKA) are investigating a video circulating online that shows two mail-in ballots from Leipzig where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is absent.
"Two questions are being investigated," an LKA spokesperson said. "Firstly, whether the video is a fake, and secondly, whether a larger number of faulty mail-in ballots were actually sent out."
The LKA declined to comment further for the time being.
In the video posted on platform X, a man claims that the AfD is missing from both his and his wife’s ballots, for both the first and second votes.
Normally, the AfD should be listed first on Leipzig’s ballots. However, in the mail-in ballots shown in the video, the candidate list begins with number two – in this case, the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
AfD Cries Foul Play
The AfD has denounced the video as evidence of election fraud and demanded an investigation.
"This is a massive attack on our democracy," said Jörg Meuthen, co-chairman of the AfD. "We demand the immediate suspension of the election and a thorough investigation."
The AfD has also filed a complaint with the Saxon Constitutional Court, alleging that the distribution of faulty ballots is a violation of the principle of equal opportunities for all candidates.
Experts Express Skepticism
Election experts, however, have expressed skepticism about the AfD’s claims.
"It is highly unlikely that a large number of faulty ballots were sent out," said Michael Kunert, a professor of political science at Leipzig University. "There are multiple layers of controls in place to prevent such errors."
Kunert suggested that the video could be a deliberate attempt to sow doubt in the integrity of the election process.
"The AfD has a history of making unsubstantiated claims of election fraud," Kunert said. "This video may be part of a strategy to delegitimize the results if they do not win."
LKA Investigation Ongoing
The LKA’s investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear how long it will take to complete.
In the meantime, the Leipzig election authorities have assured voters that the vast majority of mail-in ballots have been issued correctly.
They have also urged voters to check their ballots carefully and report any errors to their respective electoral districts.
