Latest news with #voteBuying
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.
Malay Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Saifuddin Nasution denies vote-buying in PKR ahead of 2025 polls, says party built on ideals not cash
GEORGE TOWN, May 17 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has dismissed claims that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is grappling with vote-buying practices ahead of its 2025-2028 party elections. Saifuddin, who previously served as PKR secretary-general, said the party's Disciplinary Board has not received any formal complaints related to money politics. 'I don't believe the party has reached a point where money is being handed out in exchange for support. Vote-buying, in the sense of giving cash to gain backing, is not happening in PKR,' he told reporters after officiating the 235th Prison Day celebration at Padang Kota Lama here today. 'However, using money to fund event logistics — such as meals, tent rentals, or hotel bookings — does take place, and that is a separate matter,' he added. The event was officiated by Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib. Saifuddin, who is also Home Minister, said PKR now has better logistical capabilities and financial resources compared to its early years when events, including party congresses, were held in food stalls, homes and school halls due to limited funds. However, he cautioned against excessive spending that may come across as extravagant, noting that the public is sensitive to displays of luxury. He urged party members to report any instances of vote-buying to the Disciplinary Board if they have evidence. 'This party wasn't built on financial strength. It was founded on ideals that resonated with the people. The party's rules are very clear about what is and isn't allowed,' he said. His remarks come in response to recent comments by PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who acknowledged the party faces potential risks of vote-buying, describing it as one of the hardest forms of corruption to prove. On the contest for the deputy presidency between Rafizi and Nurul Izzah Anwar, Saifuddin said both leaders have made meaningful contributions to the party. He called on the 29,000 delegates to assess candidates thoughtfully before casting their votes. PKR's National Congress, including its Youth and Wanita assemblies, will take place from May 21 to 24 in Johor Bahru, with polling scheduled for May 23. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Ramanan calls out ‘dirty tactics' using misleading viral video
PKR vice-president R Ramanan criticised certain quarters for using dirty tactics by making slanderous claims about the party elections. (Bernama pic) SHAH ALAM : PKR vice-president contender R Ramanan, who is seeking re-election, has clarified that the person he was seen giving money to in a viral video was actually an employee of his. Ramanan, who is also the Sungai Buloh MP, said the incident took place after the Selangor state election in 2023 and criticised the circulation of the video now as a dirty political tactic by certain parties. The deputy entrepreneur and cooperative development minister also did not dismiss the possibility of more dirty tactics being employed by the opposition ahead of PKR's central leadership election next Friday. 'That's my own employee — what's wrong with that?' he said at a press conference after launching an entrepreneurship seminar organised by the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun). 'It's really disgraceful if we stoop to dirty politics like this. This is slander. 'There's a party election happening now, so things like this (the video) will be twisted and manipulated,' he said. Over the past few days, a video clip has been circulated widely showing Ramanan handing over cash to an individual in front of a Pakatan Harapan office, implying it was for vote buying.
