The mayor of Valdelugueros, León, Emilio Orejas, was sentenced by the Contencioso-Administrativo 2 court for inflating the electoral register ahead of the 2023 municipal elections. He registered 21 acquaintances at his property and that of his father in a village of only 501 residents, which raised eyebrows given the significantly lower number of health cards (178) issued to residents, indicating potential fictive residency. The judge pointed out that the demographic profile of the village, characterized by an aging population, made the inflated numbers particularly illogical and suspicious.

The ruling also detailed specific instances that highlighted the irregularity of the registrations. For example, one couple reportedly registered their residence in Valdelugueros while working over 300 kilometers away in Vitoria, a situation that further confirmed the judge's assertion of non-genuine residency. These findings suggest a systematic attempt to manipulate the electoral process, which undermines the integrity of local governance.

This case reflects broader concerns regarding electoral integrity and local administration practices in Spain, particularly in rural areas where population dynamics differ significantly from urban centers. The sentence serves as a warning to other local officials about the consequences of any attempts to skew electoral registrations, emphasizing the need for transparency and adherence to proper municipal standards.