New campaign calls for Government to tackle voting fraud
December 1, 2008 8:00 AM
Unlock Democracy has launched a "Stamp Out Voting Fraud" campaign, following the Government's decision to block opposition amendments designed to tackle electoral fraud to the Political Parties and Elections Bill.
The amendments proposed the introduction of individual voter registration and for voters to prove their identity in polling stations, by showing commonly used forms of ID, such as a bankcard. They were based on the successful measures introduced in Northern Ireland in 2002 by the Government.
The Bill has attracted widespread criticism for not taking action following recent court cases on electoral fraud in Peterborough Slough and Birmingham. The judge in the Birmingham case, Richard Mawrey QC, noted, "to ignore the probability that [electoral fraud] is widespread, particularly in local elections, is a policy that even an ostrich would despise." Minister of State Michael Wills committed the Government to "work" on the problem but failed to commit to anything other than attempt to build "consensus."
Deputy Director of Unlock Democracy, Alexandra Runswick, commented:
"The Government's lax attitude on electoral fraud flies in the face of expert opinion. They recognise there is a problem, but have adopted a Through the Looking Glass, 'jam tomorrow' approach using the upcoming general election as an excuse to do nothing now.
"There are plenty of things the Government could be doing before the election. They have already acted in Northern Ireland with great success. At the very least it should publish a White Paper to spell out clearly what action needs to be taken in the rest of the UK. If they don't take action now, there is a real danger that the necessary reforms won't be ready in time for the election after next."
The Stamp Out Voting Fraud website can be found at www.votingfraud.org.uk
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