Pendle chief calls for tighter controls on voting fraud

6:00pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

A RETURNING officer is calling for tighter controls to prevent possible electoral fraud in his parliamentary constituency.

An investigation was ordered by Stephen Barnes, the returning officer for Pendle and borough council chief executive, amid widespread unease over postal and proxy voting in a series of polls. And after hearing a raft of concerns following public meetings in Nelson, Colne and West Craven, he is writing to the Electoral Commission to outline his worries.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson raised the issue last year, particularly involving ‘family voting’, echoing concerns across the political spectrum in recent years.

It was noted that in one ward, Reedley, more than 25 per cent of the votes cast by the electorate were postal.

Mr Barnes established an inquiry into voting practices last year and has published his findings for the borough council’s executive.

One of his chief concerns revolved around the practice of ‘handing in’ postal votes at polling stations on election day. Mr Barnes said: “There is public incredulity that an elector can get a postal vote and then hand it in at a polling station or give it to someone to hand it for them.

“At best, it raises the question why they needed a postal vote in the first place and did not simply go to the polling station and vote in person.

“At worst, it raises suspicions that there is something to hide or some sort of undue influence or collusion.”

He is calling for the practice to be banned and that people wanting postal or proxy votes should be directed to the council's elections office instead of being dealt with by party workers.

Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle has also raised concerns about similar practices in his constituency, and an electoral agent was jailed for fraud in the town’s Daneshouse ward in 2011.

The concerns usually centre on family ‘leaders’ unduly influencing relatives’ voting intentions, which is feared to be common using postal voting.

Comments (17)

6:17pm Tue 19 Mar 13

glossopkid says...

What a load of Sh$te..........
What is it with politicians ? When they don't get a result to their liking they scream fraud!!!!!!!
What a load of Sh$te.......... What is it with politicians ? When they don't get a result to their liking they scream fraud!!!!!!! glossopkid

7:04pm Tue 19 Mar 13

coates warder says...

glossopkid wrote:
What a load of Sh$te..........
What is it with politicians ? When they don't get a result to their liking they scream fraud!!!!!!!
dont think you know what you are talking about mate...over the last few years rigging has been rife in nelson.ie 27 votes at one house where only 7 people lived at the rest lived in asia ,know your facts and this is just one instance of many
[quote][p][bold]glossopkid[/bold] wrote: What a load of Sh$te.......... What is it with politicians ? When they don't get a result to their liking they scream fraud!!!!!!![/p][/quote]dont think you know what you are talking about mate...over the last few years rigging has been rife in nelson.ie 27 votes at one house where only 7 people lived at the rest lived in asia ,know your facts and this is just one instance of many coates warder

7:54pm Tue 19 Mar 13

aleevio says...

coates warder wrote:
glossopkid wrote:
What a load of Sh$te..........
What is it with politicians ? When they don't get a result to their liking they scream fraud!!!!!!!
dont think you know what you are talking about mate...over the last few years rigging has been rife in nelson.ie 27 votes at one house where only 7 people lived at the rest lived in asia ,know your facts and this is just one instance of many
Well said, COATES WARDER. glossopkid talks a load of Sh$te.........
[quote][p][bold]coates warder[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]glossopkid[/bold] wrote: What a load of Sh$te.......... What is it with politicians ? When they don't get a result to their liking they scream fraud!!!!!!![/p][/quote]dont think you know what you are talking about mate...over the last few years rigging has been rife in nelson.ie 27 votes at one house where only 7 people lived at the rest lived in asia ,know your facts and this is just one instance of many[/p][/quote]Well said, COATES WARDER. glossopkid talks a load of Sh$te......... aleevio

9:59pm Tue 19 Mar 13

sim1846 says...

Hmm, the biggest issue with the Electoral system in this country is that just about anyone can register to vote, in Australia you have to show your a Citizen of that country and show proof of who you are, here they take your word for it at any council office, that is so wrong, every one in this country should have to produce their ID, and proof of their Address to, why is it that when you go in to a Council office, you just give your name and DOB, and address, with no confirmation of either.

In Australia if you not a Citizen you can't vote, for some reason you can without being a Citizen.

I have even been in a situation when i lived in Manchester, of just being at the doorstep of someones home, when an officer from the electoral commission, wanted to add me to the Electoral roll, even though I didn't live at the location, or have any proof of who I was. that is what is so wrong about this Country, its a Bloody Joke, Can't say more than that.
Hmm, the biggest issue with the Electoral system in this country is that just about anyone can register to vote, in Australia you have to show your a Citizen of that country and show proof of who you are, here they take your word for it at any council office, that is so wrong, every one in this country should have to produce their ID, and proof of their Address to, why is it that when you go in to a Council office, you just give your name and DOB, and address, with no confirmation of either. In Australia if you not a Citizen you can't vote, for some reason you can without being a Citizen. I have even been in a situation when i lived in Manchester, of just being at the doorstep of someones home, when an officer from the electoral commission, wanted to add me to the Electoral roll, even though I didn't live at the location, or have any proof of who I was. that is what is so wrong about this Country, its a Bloody Joke, Can't say more than that. sim1846

10:11pm Tue 19 Mar 13

M Foster says...

What happens when you flood a country with Third Worlders?

It turns into a Third World country!

This was unheard of a few decades ago.
What happens when you flood a country with Third Worlders? It turns into a Third World country! This was unheard of a few decades ago. M Foster

10:43pm Tue 19 Mar 13

retsofad says...

At Last Election Fraud can now be fully investigated.
Is this why at the last full council meeting for the Borough of Pendle Cllr Iqbal demanded that the Chief Executive be sacked? he knows too much, are the fraud squad getting to near the vote rigging thieves in Pendle?
Not so long ago people can remember a Cllr turning up at the Town Hall with bin bags full of postal votes. Time to stop Postal and Proxy votes either turn up at the polling station or lose your vote. DON'T LET PARTY WORKERS COLLECT YOUR VOTE!!!!!!
At Last Election Fraud can now be fully investigated. Is this why at the last full council meeting for the Borough of Pendle Cllr Iqbal demanded that the Chief Executive be sacked? he knows too much, are the fraud squad getting to near the vote rigging thieves in Pendle? Not so long ago people can remember a Cllr turning up at the Town Hall with bin bags full of postal votes. Time to stop Postal and Proxy votes either turn up at the polling station or lose your vote. DON'T LET PARTY WORKERS COLLECT YOUR VOTE!!!!!! retsofad

6:36am Wed 20 Mar 13

Excluded again says...

M Foster wrote:
What happens when you flood a country with Third Worlders?

It turns into a Third World country!

This was unheard of a few decades ago.
Electoral fraud was rife in Victorian Britain and the different Acts of Parliament were brought in to combat such fraud. Election fraud in Britain is nothing new, but the levels reported today are lower that at many times in our past.
[quote][p][bold]M Foster[/bold] wrote: What happens when you flood a country with Third Worlders? It turns into a Third World country! This was unheard of a few decades ago.[/p][/quote]Electoral fraud was rife in Victorian Britain and the different Acts of Parliament were brought in to combat such fraud. Election fraud in Britain is nothing new, but the levels reported today are lower that at many times in our past. Excluded again

8:08am Wed 20 Mar 13

Burnley Born and Bred says...

It was a Lib/Dem election Agent who went to prison for vote rigging in Burnley, a fact conveniently glossed over by Gordon Birtwistle and his Lib/Dem mates in Pendle I note.............
It was a Lib/Dem election Agent who went to prison for vote rigging in Burnley, a fact conveniently glossed over by Gordon Birtwistle and his Lib/Dem mates in Pendle I note............. Burnley Born and Bred

8:56am Wed 20 Mar 13

M Foster says...

Excluded again wrote:
M Foster wrote:
What happens when you flood a country with Third Worlders?

It turns into a Third World country!

This was unheard of a few decades ago.
Electoral fraud was rife in Victorian Britain and the different Acts of Parliament were brought in to combat such fraud. Election fraud in Britain is nothing new, but the levels reported today are lower that at many times in our past.
I do not doubt your assertions but I said a few decades ago, ie, during my 60-odd years lifetime, so the problems were largely eradicated, almost non-existent. Just like with serious health problems (TB, syphilis, etc,) which, again, have returned to these shores thanks to Third Worlders.and unfettered, unchecked immigration.

Postal voting should be stopped as it was introduced to encourage fraud. Don't tell me there is no better and secure way of allowing people to vote who cannot get to the polling station. It is bad enough that in some families it is the figurehead that dictates who its members vote for, which is not a British trait.
[quote][p][bold]Excluded again[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]M Foster[/bold] wrote: What happens when you flood a country with Third Worlders? It turns into a Third World country! This was unheard of a few decades ago.[/p][/quote]Electoral fraud was rife in Victorian Britain and the different Acts of Parliament were brought in to combat such fraud. Election fraud in Britain is nothing new, but the levels reported today are lower that at many times in our past.[/p][/quote]I do not doubt your assertions but I said a few decades ago, ie, during my 60-odd years lifetime, so the problems were largely eradicated, almost non-existent. Just like with serious health problems (TB, syphilis, etc,) which, again, have returned to these shores thanks to Third Worlders.and unfettered, unchecked immigration. Postal voting should be stopped as it was introduced to encourage fraud. Don't tell me there is no better and secure way of allowing people to vote who cannot get to the polling station. It is bad enough that in some families it is the figurehead that dictates who its members vote for, which is not a British trait. M Foster

10:48am Wed 20 Mar 13

Excluded again says...

I have apostal vote becasue my job often means that I have to work away form home at quite short notice.

Why should I not have a vote just because I have to work away from home?
I have apostal vote becasue my job often means that I have to work away form home at quite short notice. Why should I not have a vote just because I have to work away from home? Excluded again

11:51am Wed 20 Mar 13

sickofthisrubbish says...

Excluded again wrote:
M Foster wrote:
What happens when you flood a country with Third Worlders?

It turns into a Third World country!

This was unheard of a few decades ago.
Electoral fraud was rife in Victorian Britain and the different Acts of Parliament were brought in to combat such fraud. Election fraud in Britain is nothing new, but the levels reported today are lower that at many times in our past.
Don t be silly were do you think we live?.
Its not Britain any more, so expect a lot more of this, may be a take over!. And i am Shaw the telegraph will help cover it up....
They be-leave in propaganda and censorship don't worry you'll never know till its to late? enjoy TTFN
[quote][p][bold]Excluded again[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]M Foster[/bold] wrote: What happens when you flood a country with Third Worlders? It turns into a Third World country! This was unheard of a few decades ago.[/p][/quote]Electoral fraud was rife in Victorian Britain and the different Acts of Parliament were brought in to combat such fraud. Election fraud in Britain is nothing new, but the levels reported today are lower that at many times in our past.[/p][/quote]Don t be silly were do you think we live?. Its not Britain any more, so expect a lot more of this, may be a take over!. And i am Shaw the telegraph will help cover it up.... They be-leave in propaganda and censorship don't worry you'll never know till its to late? enjoy TTFN sickofthisrubbish

12:33pm Wed 20 Mar 13

carrman2 says...

its not Britain any more , we all know who the frauds are dont we!
its not Britain any more , we all know who the frauds are dont we! carrman2

1:19pm Wed 20 Mar 13

Izanears says...

This was another stupid idea by NU LIEBOR as they scrabbled for votes.
Just add it to Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and unlimited immigration and you know why this country is in the mess it is.
This was another stupid idea by NU LIEBOR as they scrabbled for votes. Just add it to Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and unlimited immigration and you know why this country is in the mess it is. Izanears

1:21pm Wed 20 Mar 13

Izanears says...

Second Thoughts.
One of his chief concerns revolved around the practice of ‘handing in’ postal votes at polling stations on election day. Mr Barnes said: “There is public incredulity that an elector can get a postal vote and then hand it in at a polling station or give it to someone to hand it for them.
When I was voting at the last election I saw someone hand in a large number of postal votes.
Second Thoughts. One of his chief concerns revolved around the practice of ‘handing in’ postal votes at polling stations on election day. Mr Barnes said: “There is public incredulity that an elector can get a postal vote and then hand it in at a polling station or give it to someone to hand it for them. When I was voting at the last election I saw someone hand in a large number of postal votes. Izanears

1:31pm Wed 20 Mar 13

Commenting says...

It's not just a practice in Pendle. Blackburn has a high number of postal votes in the predominately Asian areas. Such a practice is wide open to abuse as the votes of family groups can be influenced by senior members of the family.
Such groups have no ideological commitment to any one political group and are "available to the highest bidder".
It's not just a practice in Pendle. Blackburn has a high number of postal votes in the predominately Asian areas. Such a practice is wide open to abuse as the votes of family groups can be influenced by senior members of the family. Such groups have no ideological commitment to any one political group and are "available to the highest bidder". Commenting

8:35pm Wed 20 Mar 13

theshuttle says...

They destroy the electoral process just to enhance their 'profile' within their particular grouping of friends. All completely ignorant, sometimes intentionally, about democratic values.
They destroy the electoral process just to enhance their 'profile' within their particular grouping of friends. All completely ignorant, sometimes intentionally, about democratic values. theshuttle

6:49pm Sat 23 Mar 13

will12 says...

So again, all the "meetings" etc, and still we don't have any conclusion, we are just talking about it !!!!!

Fraud is rife, when you turn up at a Polling Station only to be told that, the result is already a forgone conclusion, something SHOULD be done, yet our so called leaders shout about it, yet nothing is done but talk, and while all this chat is going on, our Political system is at the mercy of these fraudsters, who are in power and making decisions that affect us all, yet the ones who put them in power, reap the rewards !!!

There are no Political Party Politics in Nelson and Brierfield, because the Voting in Council Chambers is for the Benefit of themselves and their Voters, and not the Party they supposedly represent !!!
So again, all the "meetings" etc, and still we don't have any conclusion, we are just talking about it !!!!! Fraud is rife, when you turn up at a Polling Station only to be told that, the result is already a forgone conclusion, something SHOULD be done, yet our so called leaders shout about it, yet nothing is done but talk, and while all this chat is going on, our Political system is at the mercy of these fraudsters, who are in power and making decisions that affect us all, yet the ones who put them in power, reap the rewards !!! There are no Political Party Politics in Nelson and Brierfield, because the Voting in Council Chambers is for the Benefit of themselves and their Voters, and not the Party they supposedly represent !!! will12

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