Five people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud following allegations of electoral fraud in last month's local elections in Tameside, Greater Manchester.
Officers arrested four men and a woman, aged between 23 and 47, at addresses in Tameside on 21 May. The arrests followed reports received in the days leading up to and after the 7 May elections surrounding concerns about candidates in St Peter's ward.
The arrests follow an investigation by The Mill, a Manchester-based publication, into claims that individuals were encouraged to stand as independent candidates in the ward election in May to split opposition votes to Labour’s benefit.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the investigation is focused on how candidates were put forward and represented in the ward, and whether this adhered to relevant legislation and electoral procedures. All five remain in custody for questioning.
A Tameside Council spokesperson said: 'We place great importance on upholding the integrity of the electoral process and we are working closely with the police and other relevant authorities to support their investigation. We will continue to assist as required and will not comment further while the investigation is ongoing.'
GMP said it is also working with the Electoral Commission as enquiries continue.
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