Detectives charged three men with attempting to influence the municipal elections in one municipality in the Louny area. According to the police, they promised people money for changing their permanent residence to the municipality and a further reward for voting according to pre-agreed instructions. According to the police, no voting for a bribe ultimately took place. The police did not say which municipality is involved.[1]

According to detectives, the main role was played by a 48-year-old man from the Teplice area, assisted by a 47-year-old man from the Most area and a 25-year-old man from the Chomutov area. They looked for people willing to register for permanent residence in the municipality and then vote according to plan, and each person approached could recruit further interested people from their surroundings. According to the police, from September to October, shortly before the elections held on 9 and 10 October 2026, the accused arranged transport of people to the municipal office to change their residence. The police have so far questioned more than ten people.[1]

The three are charged with obstructing the preparation and conduct of elections and referendums. A court will decide on guilt, and if convicted the accused face up to three years in prison.[1]

Deník and iDNES.cz link the case to the municipality of Chožov in the Louny area. According to Deník, suspicion had arisen there even before the elections over the registration of permanent residence of about 30 people in an uninhabitable ruin; according to iDNES.cz, Chožov grew by 33 new residents registered in a half-ruined farmstead shortly before the elections. The newly registered voters did not turn up at the polling station. The police did not comment on whether this is the municipality in question.[2][3]

Sources

  1. ČTK / České noviny — 29 October 2026
  2. Deník.cz — 29 October 2026
  3. iDNES.cz — 29 October 2026