The policy-making council of the Estonian Reform Party decided at its Saturday meeting against a repeat of internal leadership election while agreeing that the internal voting system needs an overhaul so as to raise its security level.
Estonian Reform Party council: No repeat of internal election
15th June 2013, 20:25
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In the council's judgment, the newly-elected party board is legitimate and represents the will of the overwhelming majority of members, so a new vote will not be held. The council deemed it necessary to review and change where necessary the regulations that govern internal voting procedures in the non-governmental sector.
The council underlined that all the members who honestly participated in the election must not suffer because of the fraud committed by five persons. "The Reform Party apologizes for the deeds committed by Kristiina Ojuland, who has been thrown out of the party by now, and others. Both the 71 persons whose name was misused in the election and the 1,494 participants in the vote, as well as fellow members throughout Estonia, are victims of this fraud," council chairman Kristen Michal said. "The cheats have been caught and expelled from the party."
Having learned its lesson, the party will review its internal voting system and legislative norms. "There will not be a repeat vote, the elected board is legitimate and the will of the overwhelming majority of members of the party. Even those who participated in the election and suffered because of the fraud committed by Kristiina Ojuland and others are not demanding a new vote. The board and the chairman have been given a mandate for two years," Michal voiced the council's firm position.
The council decided that the security level of internal voting has to be raised. "True, it will be less convenient but will avert possible misuse in the future. It will be possible to vote in the future only with the help of an ID card or mobile ID. In addition, the system has to be audited to check whether it is protected against various attacks," Michal said.
The council set up a panel that was tasked with analyzing legislation for potential ambiguities. If necessary the panel will thereafter propose changes in the party statutes and ask the party's parliamentary group to initiate legal amendments.
"We have to find solutions for legal and technical issues. Before electing candidates for the European Parliament at the beginning of 2014 the technical questions have to be resolved and the system audited. In addition, before the next internal vote legal issues, starting with the obligation to pay membership dues when running for the board and ending with the organization of preliminary elections in the NGO sector, have to be thrashed out," the council chairman said.
The council stated the Reform Party's firm intention to continue in the so far successful partnership with Pro Patria and Res Publica Union.