Swedish probe into suspected vote influence could lead to Dalarna re-run

The probe raises questions about the narrow national parliamentary balance, as it could potentially flip seats and tip the Riksdag to a 175-174 right-wing majority

Swedish prosecutors have reopened an investigation into suspected election irregularities in Borlänge after a Left Party newcomer unexpectedly won a Riksdag seat through personal votes.

Mohamed Abdukardir Ali, of Somali origin, stood ninth on the Left Party list in Dalarna County. He received 648 personal votes in the 13 September 2026 election, enough to overtake climate spokesperson Kajsa Fredholm and take the party’s only parliamentary seat from the constituency. Ali had been a party member for about a year, told reporters he ran no personal campaign and had no campaign material of his own, and was granted Swedish citizenship in February 2026 after an earlier denial linked to debts.

Swedish media including Expressen confirm an active investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Unit into suspected electoral fraud in Borlänge, with police surveillance of a car linked to Left Party candidate Mohamed Abdukardir Ali distributing cash and pre-filled ballots to Somali-background voters during early voting.

An anonymous report filed on 1 September alleged that voters were driven to early-voting sites and given pre-marked Left Party ballots. Police conducted surveillance during early voting. Media reports, citing sources and later the investigation file, described a vehicle shuttling voters and images of cash being withdrawn at an ATM. The suspected offence is “undue influence on voting.” The preliminary inquiry was closed for lack of evidence before election day and reopened after new information reached prosecutors. No one has been formally notified as a suspect.

Ali told SVT the allegations were “completely, completely wrong” and that he had not spoken to police. The Left Party announced he would take a timeout and not take up his seat when the new Riksdag term begins on 28 September. A second local Left Party candidate who also performed strongly on personal votes has likewise stepped back.

Legal scholars note that convictions for this offence are rare and that the precise legal threshold for pre-marked personal-vote ballots is largely untested. If an appeal succeeds, the Election Review Board could order a full or partial re-run in Dalarna. Political scientists have said the 11 seats from that county could, in theory, affect the national balance; preliminary national figures put the centre-left opposition at 176 seats and the outgoing right-wing bloc at 173. The Election Review Board has said it is too early to comment.

The investigation is being handled by the National Anti-Corruption Unit and the police national operations department. Ali has not been charged. The Left Party has said it wants the matter examined thoroughly.

Sweden’s centre-left opposition bloc won a thin 176–173 majority in the 13 September Riksdag election, with the Social Democrats remaining the largest party as Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson resigned and Magdalena Andersson began talks to form a government.

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Caption: Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar (V) speaks during the Left Party’s election night watch party in Stockholm, Sweden, 13 September 2026. Sweden’s general election takes place on 13 September 2026, with voters electing members of the Riksdag as well as representatives in regional and municipal elections. EPA/NICKLAS THEGERSTROM