The Union Court’s Federal Electoral Regulatory Board will give its ruling into the ongoing investigation into ballot tampering later today – where it is expected to demand a re-run of both the first-round presidential and full legislative votes. The judgement will be given by Dmitri Korsakov, the President of the Union Court – the body first set up as part of the process of holding Polasciana’s first democratic elections in 2003, and which rules on most elements of the country’s constitution as well as other major criminal and civil cases. It acts ultimately as its highest court and is comprised of three judges, one of which serves as its lead judge. The FERB itself was set up in 2007 to rule specifically on electoral matters but is still comprised of all three justices. Former President Pavel Lukyanov had previously served on the Electoral Court before standing for election in 2007.
The court’s decision is expected to cause controversy, with the Nationalist Party – who have been accused of widespread fraud within the recent elections – rejecting any ruling as ‘partisan and illegitimate’. The party accuses the Court, and politicians, of acting out of ‘malice’, and say that the accusations are ‘baseless’. Police have been supporting the Court in the investigation which it is using to develop its findings. Whilst the investigation is not necessarily a criminal one, the Court may decide to proceed with a prosecution, which it has the powers to do so, if it believes it has substantial evidence to back up criminal proceedings.
The case has rocked Polascianan politics, with Karasicena grasping to retain control given increased speculation, rumour and disagreement. President Tattar and Prime Minister Serbin are expected to stay in post until new elections can be run and certified – with their power currently being granted by the Court, something many have said is “not sustainable in the long-term”. With this in mind, the Court is expected to say that new elections should be held “over the coming weeks” – with the date most likely being recommended as late July or early August. Both the ruling Coalition and Unionist party’s are said to be preparing for the new campaign, with the Nationalists expected to again contest major seats.
