Results of the communal election
Ordino’s communal election, held on December 17, 2023, have generated an intense debate in Andorran society. The progover coalition, led by Maria del Mar Coma, won a victory with 646 votes, representing 55.6% of the votes. On the other hand, the opposition formation, united by Ordino, chaired by the ex -cushion Enric Dolsa, won 515 votes, with a difference of only 131 votes between the two nominations.
A Polemic Context
The election climate was marked by the controversy around a project of Immunology Research Center promoted by the multinational Grifols. This initiative led to a strong rejection among the neighbors of the parish, as well as in some political sectors.
Interests at stake
The candidacy of Maria del Mar Coma actively defended the Grifols project, while United by Ordino was firmly opposed. The need for the current government to guarantee an election victory was crucial, as its relationship with the multinational became more and more committed.
Electoral participation and procedures
Of the 1,947 convened voters, 1,335 exercised their voting right. A remarkable detail is that 456 votes were deposited in advance in a ballot box located on the Batllia, which made only 931 people vote in person on the day of the election.
Voting procedure
The voting system by delegation involves the use of two envelopes, one for the vote and one for identification. Enric Dolsa has expressed his suspicions about possible irregularities in this process, saying that several voters were instructed to incorrectly sign the envelopes.
Handling allegations
Dolsa, with a long political career in Ordino, firmly believes that his candidacy was the winner. He believes that the election became a referendum on the Grifols laboratory, with the majority of the population opposite this project.
Legal and negative demands
After the election, Dolsa requested from the Electoral Board to review several blank envelopes used during the early vote. However, their request was rejected, with the argument that envelopes had been destroyed.
The struggle continues
With Grifols’ decision to retire from the project, Dolsa has intensified his demand to override election results, arguing that they are the result of fraud. He has brought his case to the European Court of Human Rights, after the Andorran authorities reject their claims.
A larger goal
Dolsa claims that his struggle is not only for his candidacy, but also to defend the integrity of the democratic system in Andorra. Another lawyer, Emili Campos, is leading a similar battle for irregularities in the general election of 2023, also before the European Court.
Final reflections
With a series of ongoing demands, Andorra is at a critical moment in terms of democracy. Surveillance on electoral integrity is fundamental, and the actions taken now may have a lasting impact on the country’s political future.
