Reform UK chief Nigel Farage says his occasion has reported claims of “household voting” within the Gorton and Denton by-election to police and the Electoral Fee.
It comes after election observer group Democracy Volunteers warned it had witnessed “concerning high levels” of family voting.
That is an unlawful follow the place two voters use one polling sales space and probably direct one another on voting.
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Nigel Farage with Matt Goodwin, Reform’s candidate within the Gorton and Denton by-election. Pic: PA
Mr Farage earlier claimed there was “sectarian voting and dishonest” within the contest after his occasion got here second to the Greens, who dismissed the remarks as a bid to undermine the outcome.
In an announcement later, he stated: “Reform has at present reported the various circumstances of ‘household voting’ to the Electoral Fee and the police.
“What was witnessed yesterday is deeply regarding and raises severe questions in regards to the integrity of the democratic course of in predominantly Muslim areas.
“If that is what was taking place at polling stations, simply think about the potential for coercion with postal votes.
“If motion is not taken now, then we are going to guarantee it’s after the following normal election.”
Conservative shadow native authorities secretary Sir James Cleverly additionally wrote to Electoral Fee, calling for an investigation.
Reform UK chief Nigel Farage. Pic: PA
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What’s the row about?
Reform’s candidate Matt Goodwin completed second within the by-election held on Thursday, behind the Inexperienced Social gathering’s Hannah Spencer, who gained by greater than 4,400 votes.
However issues have been raised by Democracy Volunteers about “household voting”.
It’s the place two voters both confer, collude or direct one another on voting, which is prohibited beneath the 2023 Poll Secrecy Act. This may see members of the identical household or family enter a voting sales space collectively, amongst different issues.
Democracy Volunteers are neutral observers allowed into polling stations, and the group stated it noticed household voting in 15 of the 22 polling stations it was at throughout the constituency (out of a complete of 45).
They stated the Gorton and Denton by-election noticed the “highest ranges of household voting at any election in our 10-year historical past of observing elections within the UK”.
The organisation additionally stated 32 cases have been recognized total, and claimed there have been 9 circumstances of household voting at one polling station.
After Democracy Volunteers raised issues over household voting, Manchester Metropolis Council stated no points had been reported and that it was “extraordinarily disappointing” the group had waited till after the shut of polls to make the claims.
Mr Farage hit out at ‘household voting’, following the experiences earlier on Friday morning, calling the outcome a “victory for sectarian voting and dishonest”.
Responding to that earlier accusation, a Inexperienced Social gathering spokesman stated: “The dimensions of our victory exhibits that the Inexperienced Social gathering has picked up substantial assist in all components of the constituency, in all areas, amongst all folks.
“It was a victory for unity over division, for hope over hate. Our message to decrease payments, shield the NHS and public companies and for peace and human rights was a message which resonated right here, to all voters on this by-election.”
The Electoral Fee had directed those that suppose an offence has been dedicated to go to police.
Higher Manchester Police stated in an announcement: “We will verify a report has been made. We’re within the technique of reviewing this report and can present an additional replace sooner or later.”
The Electoral Fee has additionally confirmed it has acquired a letter from Mr Farage. But it surely identified that the organisation “doesn’t have a direct function in investigating allegations of electoral fraud, which is a matter for the police”.
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And responding to the Tories, the fee stated: “We’re already working very carefully with the returning officer, and the police, to assessment all of the accessible info.
“We’ll after all preserve you knowledgeable of progress over the following few days.”
