Lisbon 2018

EBU respond to fresh vote-buying claims

A few days ago, one member of the Serbian group Balkanika, which represented the country at this year’s contest,  made a shocking revelation on live television stating that vote-buying had occurred at this year’s contest.

“I saw vote-buying going on between serious Eurovision countries.”

While speaking on the RTS show Jutro sa Jovanom i Srđanom,  Mladen Lukić revealed how he witnessed votes being bought by various jury members across competing countries.
 There is a man walking around and arranging things – making trades with the jury votes. I was sitting next to a delegation when a man arrived and made deals with another country. I saw vote-buying going on between serious Eurovision countries

EBU’s response to the allegations

Shortly after the revelation, news of the vote-rigging scandal began to spread. Our friends at Eurovoix reached out to the EBU for an explanation, to which one was promptly received.
The EBU, as well as an external auditor, rigorously reviews all submissions for Jurors in close consultation with the broadcasters. All jurors sign an agreement with the EBU before taking part, confirming that they will remain impartial and cast their votes strictly on the performances in the shows that they adjudicate. There is also a procedure whereby random inspections take place at certain jury locations during the voting process each year.

2013 scandal

In 2013, the EBU began an internal investigation into claims that Azerbaijan had offered money to jury members in exchange for points.
It was announced that from the following year, names of each jury member and their individual scores would be released.
What are your thoughts on the accusations being made? Is there anything more the EBU could do to prevent fraudulent votes? Let us know in the comments!
 
 
 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button