Postal voting fraud claims investigated

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.

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