"We have agreed that Mohamed Abdukardir Ali will take a timeout and will not serve as an MP from the start of the parliamentary term due to the ongoing investigation into voter fraud," wrote the Left Party's party secretary, Maria Forsberg, in a statement to news agency TT.
"These are exceptionally serious allegations against everyone involved. If we can assist the investigation in any way, we will do so. I cannot stress enough that we take this with the utmost seriousness, and we welcome the fact that this is now being investigated."
Abdukardir Ali denies any involvement and it has not been confirmed whether he actually appears in the investigation. No one has been formally notified of criminal suspicion.
According to reports in several media outlets, the investigation concerns pre-marked ballot papers in the general election. An anonymous police report claims that individuals drove voters to polling stations and supplied them with pre-marked ballots. A person was also allegedly seen handing out ballots and money to people.
Abdukardir Ali received 648 personal preference votes, securing Dalarna's single parliamentary seat for the party. Speaking to public broadcaster SVT, he expressed shock over the allegations of electoral misconduct.
"It's completely, completely wrong. I haven't done this," he said. "I know the law. I received support across every district in Dalarna."
The Left Party's press office declined to answer questions regarding Mohamed Abdukardir Ali's timeout, referring instead to the party secretary's official statement.
It remains unclear whether he intends to attend when the new parliament convenes for roll call on Monday. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Riksdag Administration had received no notification of absence, nor any application for leave or sick leave.
Another Left Party member who appears poised to take a seat on the municipal council in Borlänge via personal preference votes is also taking a pause from politics until everything is cleared up, local newspaper Borlänge Tidning reports.
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