Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Electoral Fraud

Thursday 17 December 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministers and officials regularly engage with the Electoral Commission on election integrity.
  • Anyone can inspect copies of the current electoral register under supervision.
  • The electoral register is a public document to allow citizens to verify eligibility.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Randall
Democracy & Elections
Context

The question follows discussions about measures to prevent electoral fraud. It references a specific case involving the Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman where electoral irregularities were uncovered by local residents, raising concerns over guidance from the Electoral Commission.

Question

What discussions he has had with the Electoral Commission on tackling electoral fraud. In his judgment against the former Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman for electoral fraud, Richard Mawrey QC found that one council candidate used two different names and addresses in six weeks. This was discovered by local residents inspecting copies of the electoral register under supervision, which seems to be questioned due to unclear guidance from the Electoral Commission. Could he ensure clear guidance is issued so concerned citizens can access these documents?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

Ministers and officials engage regularly with the Electoral Commission about election integrity. The law clearly states anyone can inspect the electoral register under supervision, allowing citizens to check eligibility. I will look into the matter raised by my hon. Friend for clarity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Ensuring clear guidance on accessing copies of the current electoral register under supervision

How: Let Me Be Crystal Clear: The Law Is Absolutely Clear On This.

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Q2 Tom Randall
Democracy & Elections
Context

The question follows discussions about measures to prevent electoral fraud. It references a specific case involving the Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman where electoral irregularities were uncovered by local residents, raising concerns over guidance from the Electoral Commission.

Question

In his judgment against the former Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman for electoral fraud, Richard Mawrey QC found that one council candidate used two different names and addresses in six weeks. This was discovered by local residents inspecting copies of the electoral register under supervision, which seems to be questioned due to unclear guidance from the Electoral Commission. Could my right hon. Friend get in touch with the chief executive of the Electoral Commission to ensure clear guidance is issued, so that members of the public looking into these measures do not find themselves prevented from accessing copies under supervision and that further cases they are looking into can come to light?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

My hon. Friend raises a very important issue. Let me be crystal clear: the law is absolutely clear on this. Anyone can inspect copies of the current register under supervision. The register is a public document to enable concerned citizens, such as those he refers to, to check that registers only include those who are properly eligible. I will, of course, look into the matter that he raised, because we want clarity on this very important point.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Ensuring clear guidance is issued by the Electoral Commission for accessing copies of the current electoral register under supervision

How: Let Me Be Crystal Clear: The Law Is Absolutely Clear On This.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)