Voters are being urged to protect their vote ahead of May’s elections.
Elections are taking place across each of our 15 wards on Thursday 7 May.
Our Councillors are responsible for representing their local area and residents, helping to shape the future of their community by making plans and taking decisions.
You must make sure the vote you cast is your choice. Voter fraud can take many different forms including:
- making false statements about the personal character of a candidate
- offering an incentive to someone to get them to vote, to vote a certain way, or to stop them from voting
- interfering with postal votes
- false statements or signatures on a candidate’s nomination forms
- registering to vote under a false name or without someone’s consent
- influencing someone to vote against their will
- pretending to be someone else and using their vote.
Election fraud undermines the democratic process. It is a serious issue and offenders can be sent to prison.
If you are a victim of voter fraud or know someone who is, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
Niki Nixon, Director of Communications and External Affairs at the Electoral Commission, said: “No matter how you vote, your vote is yours alone. Your right to vote independently, privately, and free from undue pressure is protected in law. Anyone who tries to induce or compel someone to vote a particular way, or not to vote at all, is committing a serious crime that can result in a prison sentence.
“Cases of reported fraud in the UK are very low, but we must not be complacent. Anyone concerned about fraud should report it to the police. If you see something that might be electoral fraud and want to pass on what you know anonymously, you can contact Crimestoppers. Their team will pass on the details to the relevant police force.”
Mark Hallas, Chief Executive of the charity Crimestoppers, said:
“Our country has a history of holding elections that are internationally trusted and seen to be fair. This is a tradition we can all play a part in protecting.
“It’s vital that anyone with suspicions of voter fraud speaks up, either to the police or completely anonymously to Crimestoppers.
“You can pass on what you know directly to one of our UK contact centre staff, 24/7, by calling 0800 555 111 or by completing an online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. What you share could make all the difference and you will stay 100% anonymous.”
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