APA reports quoting EBU press service that the investigation confirmed that attempts were detected, but that they did not succeed due to the strict security procedures in place. The respective votes were subsequently declared invalid in accordance with contest rules. No evidence was found to link any participating broadcaster to any improper activity or to suggest that any broadcaster was aware of the origin of the activity.
“To strengthen the credibility of the voting and to further protect the Eurovision Song Contest brand, the Reference Group has tightened measures to ensure voting integrity.
If voting irregularities are detected before, during or after the contest in favour of any represented country, the Reference Group will automatically initiate procedures which carry a penalty of exclusion of the respective participating broadcaster from the contest for a maximum of three consecutive years,” EBU reported.
Following the Eurovision-2013 Song Contest, some European media outlets reported attempts to influence televoting in favor of the Azerbaijani representative.
Eurovision-2014 will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark on May 6, 8 and 10.