Voters across Britain are being urged to safeguard their ballots as the Electoral Commission launches its annual anti-fraud campaign ahead of the May local elections.
The commission has today launched its annual ‘Your vote is yours alone’ campaign in partnership with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the charity Crimestoppers.
While the commission said that there are ‘very low levels of proven electoral fraud’ in the UK, its campaign seeks to raise awareness about the different types of electoral fraud offences that can take place.
Following the Gorton and Denton by-election, in March there were accusations of ‘family voting’, where people were allegedly pressured to vote in a certain way.
An investigation into the by-election by Manchester Police concluded there was ‘no evidence of any intent to influence or refrain any person from voting.’
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.’
