German Nursing Advocacy Group Rejects Election Fraud Claims in Care Homes

Germany's Biva-Pflegeschutzbund has strongly rejected allegations of election fraud within nursing homes, countering claims made by AfD leader Tino Chrupalla. The nursing advocacy group stated unequivocally that it has found no evidence of manipulation or improper influence on residents' voting processes. "We have no reason to question the integrity of nursing staff or relatives in this regard," the organization announced in response to inquiries from the German Press Agency (dpa). Chrupalla had previously expressed doubts about the legality of postal voting in nursing homes, citing alleged cases where residents' votes were purportedly guided. The AfD's top candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, also urged for close observation in nursing homes, expressing concern about potential influence from "a certain left-green corner." The Pflegeschutzbund emphasized that anyone publicly sowing doubt about the voting process in these facilities should provide concrete, verifiable evidence, which they state is lacking from their advisory practice. They clarified that while residents requiring assistance with voting is permissible, and a helper may mark the ballot according to the resident's expressed will, a clear line exists between lawful assistance and unlawful influence. The organization represents individuals with nursing or care needs, particularly those living in supported housing. Since 2019, nursing home residents cannot be excluded from voting solely due to physical or cognitive limitations.