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Conservative Républicains: 91,000 members of the former People's Party have been called on since Saturday evening to elect a new board
Photo: CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP
According to the French Sunday newspaper "Le Journal du Dimanche", two cats have been registered as voters for the board elections of the conservative party Les Républicains.
It was demonstrated that party members could vote multiple times without much effort, the paper reported on Sunday.
A source within the party told the newspaper: 'Technically you are entitled to three votes per person.
There are fake members everywhere.” According to the report, an internal Conservative party document states that members' identities are only verified if personal information, such as address or telephone number, is used four or more times.
The number of supporters had increased significantly in the run-up to the board election.
Registered with the data of a journalist
The newspaper itself registered the two cats named "Kalli" and "Zizou" with the data of a journalist who became a member for the experiment.
At no time were the identities checked.
The party initially did not respond to requests, the newspaper continued.
Around 91,000 members of the former People's Party in France have been called on since Saturday evening to elect a new board.
A result is expected after counting the votes from Sunday evening.
MEP Éric Ciotti from the right wing is the favourite.
The liberal-conservative Senator Bruno Retailleau and Secretary General Aurélien Pradié, representing the social right, are also running.
If none of the three achieve an absolute majority, the party wants to hold a runoff election next weekend.
swe/dpa