Campaign launched to tackle electoral fraud

A new campaign has been launched by the Electoral Commission to encourage people to protect their vote ahead of May’s local elections.

Launched in partnership with the Cabinet Office and Crimestoppers, the independent crime reporting charity, the ‘Your vote is yours alone’ campaign aims to help voters understand the different types of electoral fraud offences that can take place in a polling station, or when completing a postal vote, and to empower people to protect their vote.

With elections taking place in 249 local authorities across England on 2 May 2019, local authorities have been provided with resources which they can use in their local areas. 

Bob Posner, chief executive of the Electoral Commission, said: “Whether you are voting in person at a polling station on 2 May or completing your postal vote at home, your vote is yours alone. No one should feel pressured to vote a certain way. Anyone who attempts to do this can be committing a serious crime, which may result in a prison sentence. We know that voters can sometimes be unsure what electoral fraud is. Our campaign empowers voters to protect their vote. We encourage anyone with concerns to talk them through with Crimestoppers. This can be done anonymously.”

Mark Hallas, chief executive of the charity Crimestoppers, said: “It is only a tiny minority of people who try to jeopardise elections for personal gain. We must, however, stay alert to any suspicious behaviour as electoral fraud undermines people’s faith in democracy. By working together, we can all ensure that the UK’s democracy remains intact and I urge anyone with information to contact our charity 100 per cent anonymously so we can protect the integrity of our democratic process.”

Anyone with any concerns about possible fraud should tell Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their online form which can be found at crimestoppers-uk.org.