Senior officials from the Alternative for Germany party have alleged possible manipulation of mail-in ballots in care homes, prompting criticism from experts and professional associations.

Tino Chrupalla, leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has raised concerns about alleged vote manipulation in care homes, particularly regarding mail-in ballots. In a recent interview, he claimed to have heard of cases where residents in care facilities may have been improperly guided during the voting process. These remarks follow similar allegations made by Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s top candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, who suggested that some care institutions might intervene in the voting process.

Professional organizations, including the German Association for Nursing Professions and the Intensivpflegeverband Deutschland, have strongly condemned these accusations as baseless and defamatory. They argue that such claims undermine trust in caregivers and the integrity of care providers, calling them unworthy of public officials. Experts in political science and electoral processes further refuted the accusations, asserting that the risk of large-scale manipulation in mail-in voting remains negligible. Instead, they emphasized that mail-in ballots are crucial for ensuring the participation of individuals with limited physical mobility.

Officials overseeing elections in Saxony-Anhalt have stated that no evidence of voter fraud in care homes has been reported in past elections. Leading scholars have described the allegations as unwarranted and potentially harmful to the democratic process, with some noting that if fraud occurred, it would be limited to isolated incidents rather than systemic issues. Despite the lack of evidence, experts voiced concerns that the narrative could fuel mistrust in electoral systems and pave the way for calls for restrictive reforms, further complicating voting access for vulnerable groups.