Candidates for the municipal election in Marseille denounced " fraudulent practices " regarding " simplified proxies " proposed by activists and candidates Les Républicains (LR), a practice revealed in two reports broadcast on Thursday.
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The weekly Marianne and the television news of France 2 revealed that two candidates present on lists of Martine Vassal (LR) proposed " simplified proxies ". Based on text messages received by residents of two sectors, the journalists were able to establish that the voters had been offered proxies. " Without traveling, just by phone, " says the text sent by a LR running mate in the Martine Vassal area.
A practice contrary to the law which requires the voter to “ appear in person at a police station, gendarmerie or court, with proof of identity admitted to be able to vote (national identity card, passport or driver's license ) ”According to the“ servicepublic.fr ”site.
Questioned during a police demonstration to which she gave her support on Friday, Martine Vassal lambasted " Parisians (who) are trying to create a controversy that does not exist here ". In a press release, the candidate assured, however, that " if these facts are proven, they are unacceptable ".
Tight battle
The battle for the town hall of Marseille is very close. The candidate of the union of the left, Michèle Rubirola created the surprise by arriving at the head on the city in the first round, beating Martine Vassal, the heiress of Jean-Claude Gaudin who does not represent himself after 25 years at the head of the second city of France. Michèle Rubirola, who presents herself under a list called Printemps marseillais grouping PS, PC, certain Insoumis and the Greens of EELV, said that she was " scandalized by practices from the past " that she " refused ".
Marianne's investigation also reveals eavesdropping on an elected LR from the 11-12th arrondissements who assures a voter: " The police station punches us with all the proxies we bring to them ".
Stéphane Ravier, senator and candidate for the National Rally, asked " the Police Prefect to urgently carry out an internal investigation to identify and punish the judicial police officer who is allegedly guilty of these acts ". " It goes without saying that all the proxies bearing his visa and his + punching + will have to be canceled, " he adds.
Questioned by AFP, a police source told AFP that " an attempted offense has been found " in Marseille, but " defused ", recalling that " the police stations have been made aware of the rules regarding powers of attorney " . The prosecutor of the Republic of Marseille told AFP " to have no information " on this case.
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