Crackdown on election fraudsters

OLDHAM’S elections are to be monitored by officials to crack down on poll fraud.

The Electoral Commission is looking at options to prevent abuse, including measures currently used in Northern Ireland, such as restricting postal voting to the physically unable and forcing voters to identify themselves at polling stations.

The commission found a “consistent underlying level of concern among voters” about electoral fraud but reports of wrong–doing are concentrated in a small number of English local authorities.

The commission will monitor 15 areas, including Oldham, with a history of alleged fraud.

Jenny Watson of the Electoral Commission said: “As we make the electoral registration system more secure, we need to make sure we have the right balance so voters and parties can participate but risks from unscrupulous campaigners are reduced.

“These are not easy issues to resolve and we are not ruling out considering any potential solution at this stage. This is why it is important that we hear in detail from people about what they think of the different options.”