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Postal voting fraud claims investigated
Reporter: Janice Barker
Date online: 05 May 2010
ELECTION 2010
Allegations of postal vote fraud in Oldham are being investigated.
Greater Manchester Police says the force has received multiple reports of electoral fraud in Oldham, North Manchester, Rochdale and Bolton, for breaches of the electoral Code of Practice.
It added: “Officers are working closely with the Electoral Commission and local election officers to establish if any crimes have been committed.”
A Coldhurst resident rang the Chronicle to complain after completed postal vote forms for his family were taken from his house by a party worker.
The man, from Surma Close, who does not want to be named, said: “One party has got my details from the postal voting list.
“The forms were filled in and in my house.
“Someone came when I was not in and spoke to my wife. They took the votes from my house and I am deeply concerned.
“I believe they will be ripped up and thrown away. I have telephoned the police. I am shocked and really concerned.”
Last week, residents in Allama Iqbal Road in Clarksfield called police when they believed a postwoman was being approached by party workers as she delivered voting forms to local homes.
They also complained that they were being asked to hand over uncompleted postal vote forms to party workers.
Police said it was an issue between two sets of party workers, the postwoman was not involved, and no offence had been committed.
Catch up with the candidates at www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/elections/
Comments
Here we go again! And it's always the same people up to the same tricks, and the same party which seems to benefit.
No surprise that there will be no effort to change a system which has since its introduction brought the UK's democracy into one which would "shame a bannana republic".
And then there will be the protestations from all parties, that people are disengaged from the political process and don't vote. It just goes to show how far removed from reality they are!
Could be very interesting in a mrginal seat like Oldham East & saddleworth. Common knowledge that in some areas those whose names are on the postal vote forms are not the ones casting the vote, and that this happens en bloc.
Postal voting should be scrapped. It is too easy to corrupt the system. If you cannot be bothered once every four/five years to go to the polling station for a national election then you should not be given the right.
Although the postal voting system is a good thing for the disabled and for voters who will be away from home on the voting day, but I agree the system is being abused, not only by people falsifying votes but also from people who do not really need postal votes. One high profile lady in rochdale was well enough to get out shopping and had the confidence to collar Gordan Brown, but she was shown on television with a postal vote she said she would not be filling in. nuff sed
scrap postal votes unless you are disabled. If you cant trust the electorate to vote for you, why do you want to represent them, (if that is ever your real intention!!)
I do not understand the above comment, although my user name includes the word "black" I am in fact white english, I was born in Oldham and can trace my family in Oldham to around 1850 when it was just a village. I also have no political preferences.
black le- if you mean my comment, I am "having a go" at those who stand for election and their "helpers" who come round to your house and then tell you to sign your name on a piece of paper so that they can cast your postal vote for you. They cant just come and ask you to vote for them, they dont trust you, but still want to make sure their candidate gets your vote.
Hope that clears up any confusion I caused.
If the claim of vote rigging is true, then the whole sordid system should be investigated by an independent panel.
This is an attack on our democratic foundation by those who have a separate agenda and use our voting system as a means to fulfil their own ideals.It is also probable that the successful candidates who get elected by these means are also aware of the fraud. It is a fact that the very authorities who claim to clean it up are not fit for purpose and themselves should be investigated
never mind the postal voting...someone tried to use my son's name and address for voting at the poling station in Coldhurst, the lad was caught out because the girl working in the poling station knew my son..as she reported it the lad did a runner!!! how many more votes were cast by fraudsters and no one found out...why is it that you do not have to produce ID for voting and can we trust that our postal votes actually reach their destination to be counted?
If the claim of vote rigging is true, then the whole sordid system should be investigated by an independent panel.
This is an attack on our democratic foundation by those who have a separate agenda and use our voting system as a means to fulfil their own ideals.It is also probable that the successful candidates who get elected by these means are also aware of the fraud. It is a fact that the very authorities who claim to clean it up are not fit for purpose and themselves should be investigated
Have Your Say
Postal vote fraud is widespread. The police year after year say they are taking it very seriously and year after year, nothing is done.
It is harder to sign up for dvd rental than it is to get a postal vote. And who checks the massive sign ups where there are 12 people in one house. Answer, they don't. Massive fraud which in this town WILL affect the outcome.
By OldhamWatcher @ 05/05/2010 13:51:42