Electoral Fraud.

[BlueMoonAcrossThePond]

What should happen in proven cases of electoral fraud in this country ?
ie.
If a candidate standing in a certain ward , but living in another. . voted in each ward.
I think we can all agree that this is electoral fraud..
If said candidate won his/her seat , should he/she be forced to resign ?
Or should he/she be let off with a police caution and be allowed to continue to represent said ward ?
Should his/her defence that they didn't know that everybody only gets one vote be taken as the truth by someone standing in an election ?
Irrespective of which party said candidate represents , should they be stripped of office and banned from standing again ?
Discuss .

What should occur?

A careful recount of all votes over all districts should occur.

And then the actual winner should be sworn into office.

As for any candidate falsely winning due to fraud - no guilt necessarily attaches.

However, if a candidate condoned, encouraged, facilitated or perpetrated voter fraud - then he or she should be prosecuted according to existing law.

 

[Ifwecouldjust.......]

Errrrm.
This guy has interests in 32 properties.
God knows who he rents them to.
Is he registered in 5 or 6 names in each property ?
1 vote becomes many.

But enough to influence an election ?

 

[bluethrunthru]

But enough to influence an election ?

probably only in an extremely rare tight finish - however its still the general principle that says NO

 

[Ifwecouldjust.......]

probably only in an extremely rare tight finish - however its still the general principle that says NO

Agreed .... but its one of those things that only need to be investigated when the result is extremely tight. Too much focus when it doesn't really influence the result will end up with voter suppression legislation.


The majority of the population are honest.

 

[mat]

Said candidate also has interests in 32 properties.
All 32 properties turned out 100% in their favour.
Usual turn out . . 30 %.
????????

 

[Rascal]

A friend I drink with has seen the list of who voted in the ward he lives.

Under the Representation of the People Act 1983 the Returning Officer, has to ensure that all ballot papers, counterfoils and the polling clerks' marked copies of the electoral register are safely deposited with the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery (a senior officer of the Lord Chancellor's Department). This is so that if any corrupt or illegal election practices are reported the appropriate documents are available for inspection. All such documents are supposed to be officially sealed so that there is no chance of interference by any party and, according to the 1983 act, the seal can only be broken by the order of the High Court or Parliament itself.

Did you drinking friend break the law?

 

[Vic]

Under the Representation of the People Act 1983 the Returning Officer, has to ensure that all ballot papers, counterfoils and the polling clerks' marked copies of the electoral register are safely deposited with the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery (a senior officer of the Lord Chancellor's Department). This is so that if any corrupt or illegal election practices are reported the appropriate documents are available for inspection. All such documents are supposed to be officially sealed so that there is no chance of interference by any party and, according to the 1983 act, the seal can only be broken by the order of the High Court or Parliament itself.

Did you drinking friend break the law?

Anyone can inspect the marked register that shows who voted. S.118 of the Representation of the People (England & Wales) Regulations (RPR) 2001 (as amended).