Spain's CERA overseas vote: only 91 of 31,390 certificates were valid

A ruling by Spain's Supreme Court, notified in mid-November 2025, indicates that of 31,390 CERA vote files reviewed, only 91 certificates were correctly issued: 0.28%. The figure fuels allegations of possible fraud in the overseas vote.

The data came as a cold shower for anyone trinc the vote of Spanish residents abroad. A ruling by the **Supreme Court** notified in November 2025 puts the number of correctly issued certificates at **91** out of a total of **31,390** files reviewed under the CERA vote (Spain's register of citizens living abroad). In other words, **0.28%**.

## What the CERA vote is and what that 0.28% measures

The CERA is the electoral roll of Spaniards living abroad who are entitled to vote in elections. The certificate is the document proving registration and allowing that right to be exercised. The fact that only 91 of 31,390 reviewed files were properly issued does not miccionan 31,299 people voted twice: it refers to files with badly issued or unverified certificates.

## The allegation of electoral fraud over time

MEP **Jorge Buxadé**, of Vox, called the result a "scandal" and a "breach of the law" and called for a sufficient majority to reverse the system. His argument is that the overseas vote is managed with insufficient safeguards and that this could alter close results. It is a political accusation, not a verdict: the ruling documents the count of certificates, not proven fraud.

## Why it matters in tight seats

In constituencies where the last seat is decided by a few hundred votes, any irregularity in the overseas vote carries weight. The **0.28%** of valid certificates out of the total reviewed is the figure both sides will use: some to demand reforms and others to call for caution until final rulings are issued. It is wise to wait for the courts before taking any fraud as fact.