On Wednesday, Estonia’s National Electoral Committee (VVK) voted 4 to 3 against introducing mobile voting (m-voting) in the 2025 local elections. While the public hasn’t officially been informed, the decision was made during a contentious meeting where audit transparency, technical concerns, and public trust were at the heart of the debate.
A central sticking point was the late delivery of a key audit report, just hours before the meeting, which left committee members unable to review it thoroughly. While some claimed audit-related concerns had been addressed, others pointed out that many claims remained unverified or unclear, with officials unable to confirm whether critical components had been audited.
The meeting took a turn when VVK chair Ingrid Kullerkann attempted to expel three election observers, including the author, without clear justification. When asked to explain the legal grounds for their removal from what was labeled a “public meeting,” she refused to debate the matter and instead called the police. Officers arrived, confused about who the “troublemakers” were, and eventually left after a tense exchange and presentation of ID cards.
This incident raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and access to public proceedings, especially when tied to decisions as critical as electoral voting methods. While mobile voting was blocked for now, the procedural irregularities and legal gray areas surrounding the meeting may soon demand the attention of Estonia’s Supreme Court again.
