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Integrity of the Voting Process
14 December 2022
Lead MP
Paul Bristow
Responding Minister
Lee Rowley
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementNorthern IrelandDemocracy & ElectionsForeign Affairs
Word Count: 3771
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Paul Bristow raised concerns about integrity of the voting process in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Bristow calls for clearer laws to empower presiding officers and police to deal with suspected offences related to forced family voting. He also advocates for the Ballot Secrecy Bill to ensure that individuals can vote freely without influence or intimidation.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Paul Bristow is concerned about voter fraud and forced family voting. He cites statistics from a Democracy Volunteers report indicating that in May 2022 elections, family voting was observed at 25% of polling stations across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In Peterborough's by-election, family voting occurred in nearly half of all polling stations. Bristow highlights the United Nations development programme's description of family voting as a violation of voter secrecy and emphasises that women are disproportionately affected, with over 70% of observed cases involving female voters.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon explained that Northern Ireland's higher rate of spoiled ballots is due to the dual voting systems in use, which can confuse voters. He noted that pressure and mix-ups between the Westminster system of marking a single candidate and the proportional representation system used for other elections contribute to this issue.
John Hayes
Con
South Norfolk
John Hayes supports Bristow's efforts to maintain voting integrity, highlighting the need for simpler voting systems and emphasising the importance of upholding the secrecy of ballots.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Robbie Moore supported Paul Bristow's speech, highlighting instances of voter intimidation in Keighley. He agreed that intimidating behaviour extends beyond families to include friends and community networks.
Government Response
Lee Rowley
Government Response
The Government are committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral system. The Ballot Secrecy Bill is intended to strengthen existing laws on ballot secrecy and ensure clarity for presiding officers in challenging inappropriate behaviour. Voter ID requirements will be introduced in local elections from May next year, and postal voting measures have been strengthened to prevent fraud. Changes include a ban on political campaigners handling other people's postal voting documents, and periodic reviews of postal vote entitlements. The Elections Act 2022 updates the offence of undue influence to ensure voters are free from intimidation and deception.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.