Menu
27/02/2006
Government announces plans to tackle electoral fraud
The government has announced plans to introduce new laws aimed at preventing postal vote fraud into the House of Commons this week.
The new laws will be part of a package of 14 new measures which are being launched today by Elections Minister Harriet Harman.
Commenting on the new measures, Mrs Harman said: "Everyone in every community in any part of the country is entitled to their vote and to know that their vote is counted as they cast it.
"Electoral fraud is extremely rare. But fraud in any area, in any election, national or local, is a problem because it undermines confidence."
Under the new plans, electoral administrators would write to everyone who has applied for a postal vote acknowledging receipt of their application and confirming the outcome.
Administers would also get more time to check postal vote applications, because people will have to apply for a postal vote 11 working days before the close of the poll, rather than the six days at present. Police would also have more time to investigate electoral fraud - increased from one to two years.
The measures also include the introduction of new secrecy warnings on postal and proxy voting papers as well as security marks and barcodes for ballot papers.
There would also be a new offence of falsely applying for a postal or proxy vote, a new criminal offence of supplying false information or failing to supply information to the electoral registration officer at any time and a new strengthened offence of undue influence.
Postal voting was criticised by the electoral commissioner as being open to fraud in 2004. Sir Richard Mawrey ruled that there had been abuse of the postal voting system in Birmingham and six Labour councillors were forced to step down.
(KMcA/GB)
The new laws will be part of a package of 14 new measures which are being launched today by Elections Minister Harriet Harman.
Commenting on the new measures, Mrs Harman said: "Everyone in every community in any part of the country is entitled to their vote and to know that their vote is counted as they cast it.
"Electoral fraud is extremely rare. But fraud in any area, in any election, national or local, is a problem because it undermines confidence."
Under the new plans, electoral administrators would write to everyone who has applied for a postal vote acknowledging receipt of their application and confirming the outcome.
Administers would also get more time to check postal vote applications, because people will have to apply for a postal vote 11 working days before the close of the poll, rather than the six days at present. Police would also have more time to investigate electoral fraud - increased from one to two years.
The measures also include the introduction of new secrecy warnings on postal and proxy voting papers as well as security marks and barcodes for ballot papers.
There would also be a new offence of falsely applying for a postal or proxy vote, a new criminal offence of supplying false information or failing to supply information to the electoral registration officer at any time and a new strengthened offence of undue influence.
Postal voting was criticised by the electoral commissioner as being open to fraud in 2004. Sir Richard Mawrey ruled that there had been abuse of the postal voting system in Birmingham and six Labour councillors were forced to step down.
(KMcA/GB)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 May 2010
Could Postal Vote Fraud Swing Election?
Police have launched criminal investigations into fraudulent postal votes. 50 criminal inquiries have been started nationwide amid widespread cases of electoral rolls being packed with 'bogus' voters. Officials report a flood of postal vote applications in marginal seats.
Could Postal Vote Fraud Swing Election?
Police have launched criminal investigations into fraudulent postal votes. 50 criminal inquiries have been started nationwide amid widespread cases of electoral rolls being packed with 'bogus' voters. Officials report a flood of postal vote applications in marginal seats.
15 April 2005
Concerns rise over potential postal vote fraud
Concerns are rising that a dramatic increase in postal voting applications could lead to fraud in the next general election. A Guardian survey of twenty key marginal constituencies indicated that postal voting was “soaring”, with applications in some areas increasing by more than 300% since the last general election in 2001.
Concerns rise over potential postal vote fraud
Concerns are rising that a dramatic increase in postal voting applications could lead to fraud in the next general election. A Guardian survey of twenty key marginal constituencies indicated that postal voting was “soaring”, with applications in some areas increasing by more than 300% since the last general election in 2001.
19 April 2010
'Clegg Vote Is Vote For Brown', Warn Tories
David Cameron has again warned voters that any votes cast for Nick Clegg could leave Labour in power. The Tories claim Gordon Brown could lose the election but remain Prime Minister for five more years thanks to a Lib Dem surge inspired by last week's TV debate triumph for party leader, Nick Clegg.
'Clegg Vote Is Vote For Brown', Warn Tories
David Cameron has again warned voters that any votes cast for Nick Clegg could leave Labour in power. The Tories claim Gordon Brown could lose the election but remain Prime Minister for five more years thanks to a Lib Dem surge inspired by last week's TV debate triumph for party leader, Nick Clegg.
11 May 2007
Postal Strike vote ballot goes ahead
Postal workers are to be balloted over strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) rejected a 2.5% pay offer described by the Royal Mail as its "full and final offer".
Postal Strike vote ballot goes ahead
Postal workers are to be balloted over strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) rejected a 2.5% pay offer described by the Royal Mail as its "full and final offer".
07 August 2006
Postal workers to vote on strike action
Postal workers are to start voting this week on whether to take strike action in a dispute over working practices. Around 1,000 members of the Communication Workers Union at distribution centres in Essex, London and Nottingham are being balloted. If a strike goes ahead, the Royal Mail warned that postal services could be disrupted nationwide.
Postal workers to vote on strike action
Postal workers are to start voting this week on whether to take strike action in a dispute over working practices. Around 1,000 members of the Communication Workers Union at distribution centres in Essex, London and Nottingham are being balloted. If a strike goes ahead, the Royal Mail warned that postal services could be disrupted nationwide.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Light winds. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
