During this review the Commission heard anecdotal evidence and views that raised questions about whether fraud was more likely to be committed by, or in support of, candidates standing for election in areas which are largely or predominantly populated by people from British Pakistani or British Bangladeshi communities. This raised concerns about whether people in these communities were able effectively to exercise their right to vote and participate in elections on the same basis as other voters in the UK. As a result, the watchdog commissioned further research with members of the public and political activists in eight demographically similar areas; four with histories of allegations or actual instances of fraud and four without.
Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission, said: "Proven cases of electoral fraud remain rare, but it is important that no-one underestimates how serious it is when it does occur. We have long known that, when fraud is committed, candidates and campaigners are the most likely offenders and voters are the victims. The research we have published today confirms this. The research also provides a useful insight into some of the particular issues faced by voters in some British Pakistani and British Bangladeshi communities, and how these can be tackled."
Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission, said: "Proven cases of electoral fraud remain rare, but it is important that no-one underestimates how serious it is when it does occur. We have long known that, when fraud is committed, candidates and campaigners are the most likely offenders and voters are the victims. The research we have published today confirms this. The research also provides a useful insight into some of the particular issues faced by voters in some British Pakistani and British Bangladeshi communities, and how these can be tackled."
Continuing Ms Watdon said: "Although clear plans are in place to prevent and detect fraud ahead of the elections, there is also a challenge to campaigners. They must ensure their behaviour builds trust with all voters, and all those involved in elections must make it a priority to communicate what is and what is not acceptable behaviour at election time. As we approach the election, it’s important that anyone who has evidence of electoral fraud reports it to the police in their area, or, if they want to do so anonymously, contact Crimestoppers."
A summary of the research findings is below, but further details are available in the briefing note or in the reports themselves.
The Commission has also set out today how it is working with the police and local authorities to support their plans to prevent and detect fraud ahead of the May elections. Further details of these actions can be found in the attached briefing note.
The Commission, Police, Electoral Registration Officers and Returning Officers have different roles in relation to electoral fraud (see Notes to Editors 2) but are working together to ensure robust prevention and detection plans are in place ahead of the May elections. This package of measures includes:
Some issues raised in the research are already being looked at by the Commission:
- Strong community networks provide valuable support to people, but they may also be vulnerable to abuse by unscrupulous campaigners.
- There can be low levels of public awareness about what is acceptable campaigning activity and what is electoral fraud.
- Voters in some British Pakistani and British Bangladeshi communities can be unsure where to report concerns about electoral fraud.
- Low levels of literacy or a lack of English skills can exacerbate electoral fraud vulnerabilities.
- Reduced activity by political parties in some areas, together with a reliance on kinship networks or those perceived to be “community leaders”, may also exacerbate vulnerabilities by focusing on winning the support of voters as a single group rather than as individuals.
The Commission has also set out today how it is working with the police and local authorities to support their plans to prevent and detect fraud ahead of the May elections. Further details of these actions can be found in the attached briefing note.
The Commission, Police, Electoral Registration Officers and Returning Officers have different roles in relation to electoral fraud (see Notes to Editors 2) but are working together to ensure robust prevention and detection plans are in place ahead of the May elections. This package of measures includes:
- Guidance on electoral fraud for police forces – this was published in November by the College of Policing, with support from the Commission.
- Partnership with Crimestoppers – The Commission is working with Crimestoppers to make sure that, although the police should be the first point of contact to ensure concerns about electoral fraud are swiftly investigated, if people are worried about revealing their identity, they can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A translation service is available for those whose first language is not English.
- A national seminar for specialist police officers – the Commission will join specialist police officers in February to help them prepare ahead of the elections, and exchange knowledge and strategies.
- The Code of Conduct for Campaigners – The Commission will be making campaigners / parties aware that they must follow this agreed code.
- Materials for police and local authorities – The Commission is making these available in a variety of languages for police and local authorities to use to let voters know what electoral fraud is, how to report it, and what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable campaigning.
- Monitoring postal voting during and after the May 2015 elections, to identify whether there is scope to further improve security processes.
Some issues raised in the research are already being looked at by the Commission:
- Voter ID –We recommended in January 2014 that there should be a requirement for electors across Great Britain to present an acceptable form of identification prior to voting at the polling station by no later than the 2019 European and English local government elections. We are currently considering how to develop a proportionate and accessible scheme for verifying the identity of electors at polling stations, and expect to publish our detailed proposals by the end of 2015.
- Postal voting – New security measures for postal voting were introduced for elections in 2006, and voters now need to give ‘personal identifiers’ (their signature and date of birth) when applying for and casting their postal ballot. In addition, the introduction of individual electoral registration (IER) in Great Britain in 2014 further limits the scope for fraud in the postal voting process. Under the new system voters need to have their identity verified by providing a date of birth and a national insurance number. IER therefore makes it much harder to create fictitious electoral register entries, which could be used to commit postal voting fraud. The Commission is continuing to monitor campaigner behaviour and has not ruled out the need for the law to be changed to make it an offence for campaigners to handle any postal voting materials.
