CHANGE: In the first version of this case, the title stated that Kvænangen is asking for election control. The correct thing is that the Conservative Party and FRP ask for it. The title has therefore been changed at 12.35 It became dramatic when the votes were to be counted in the small municipality of Kvænangen in Troms after the local elections in 2019. – Suddenly votes were gone, then they came back. Then there were votes that were rejected, which perhaps should not have been rejected, says Geir-Morten Olsen, leader of the municipality’s Conservative Party, about the last election. Olsen stands with the FRP in Kvænangen, which sends a letter to the Norwegian Electoral Directorate. There he asks for observers ahead of the autumn’s local elections. This is highly unusual, but some may think it is understandable. Last time it went like this: After three counts, you were left with three different results. Only one ballot separated the blocks in the municipality. A vote that had been rejected had to be reassessed, before it was again assessed as invalid. Only one extra vote would secure the Center Party the mayor in the municipality. It still ended with incumbent mayor Eirik Losnegaard Mevik (Ap) being able to continue in his job. The uncertainty was, among other things, about whether the rejected vote had been cast by a person who was actually entitled to vote. SV asked the government for a new election, but in the end that request was refused. Afraid of apathetic voters Electoral researcher at UiT, Jonas Stein, says that a municipality that itself asks for observers in such a context is startling. – It is very unusual for such inquiries to come. This is usually something that the municipalities themselves tend to arrange. This time, Olsen will have better order when the election is to be held. Election researcher Jonas Stein at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway. Photo: JOhan Ante Utsi – We do not fear that it will happen again, but we want quality assurance at all stages. You have to be sure that it is done correctly according to the routines. – It was almost two months before the municipal council was appointed or formally elected, Olsen points out. He believes that trust in democracy in the municipality has weakened after the incident. – It is thinly worn. It is, he says. – To the public, it looks like you don’t know what you’re doing. Then the voters may think that there is no point in voting, since it will not be right anyway. 1,159 people live in Kvænangen, according to figures from Statistics Norway. Photo: Laila Lanes / news – Can’t assist The Directorate of Elections, however, cannot accommodate Olsen’s wish. They have answered no, and point out that it is the municipality’s electoral board that is responsible for ensuring that the election takes place in an orderly manner. Olsen has been referred to the Ministry of Local Government and District Affairs. The ministry writes to news that they accredited 70 observers during the 2019 election. They do not answer whether they will send observers to municipalities that request this themselves. The full response from the ministry The Communications Unit in the Ministry of Local Government and Districts writes the following to news: – Anyone who wishes can be present during the counting of ballots, and anyone with the right to vote can complain about the preparation and implementation of the election in the electoral district where the person concerned is registered. – In Norway, election observation can be carried out by election observers attached to Norwegian or international missions for election observation, for example under the auspices of the OSCE. – The ministry accredits the election observers. The observers visit selected municipalities. They can themselves choose where they want to carry out the observation. The accredited observers are expected to report their findings to the Ministry. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB scanpix – Should be careful Mayor Mevik believes that one should be “careful in throwing political coin about the Norwegian electoral system”. – A collective chairmanship (including the Conservative Party) was very satisfied with the conduct of the election in 2021. It was professional, reassuring and well carried out, he says to news. He welcomes any observers. – We can last with coffee, biscuits and a well-executed choice. Whether it is a good use of resources to send bureaucrats to follow up, the Conservative Party will have to answer for that. Mevik believes the matter should be handled by the municipality’s electoral board, which is responsible for ensuring that the process has the correct name. Casting doubt on trust in local democracy is not a good idea, the mayor believes. – On the contrary, we should strengthen it cross-politically. Donald Trump did it in the United States and it is a scary development for democracy. The Conservative Party is represented in the electoral board and it is very good if they promote their concerns there. – That way we can solve questions constructively, rather than conspiracies that weaken trust in democracy.
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The Conservative Party and FRP are asking for an election observer in the 2023 municipal elections after several voting irregularities in 2019 – news Troms and Finnmark
