VOTE RIGGING

Fresh from successfully rigging the outcome of the last general election, Labour remain intent on rigging the next one.

Its latest proposals for reform of the electoral system following widespread reports of irregularities during the last general election, contained in the Electoral Administration Bill, still do not change the law to insist upon individual registration. Labour are still determined to allow people to register to vote on someone else’s behalf.

Peter Wardle, the chief executive of The Electoral Commission, has condemned this:

‘We are disappointed that our fundamental recommendation for a move to individual registration is not included.

It wouldn't be considered acceptable for someone else to vote for you, so it shouldn't be acceptable for someone else to register on your behalf. And without action in this area, voters cannot have full confidence in the security of the postal voting system. We will continue to set out our arguments for action in this area as the Bill passes through Parliament.’

The comments of Richard Mawrey QC who heard a case of systematic postal ballot fraud in the run up to the last general election should not be forgotten. Having read out a statement from the government in which they stated:

‘The systems already in place to deal with allegations of electoral fraud are clearly working.’

The judge said:

‘Anyone who has sat through the case I have just tried and listened to evidence of electoral fraud that would disgrace a banana republic would find this statement surprising.’

He condemned the government statement as demonstrating ‘a state not simply of complacency but of denial’.

He further said:

‘The systems to deal with fraud are not working well. They are not working badly. The fact is that there are no systems to deal realistically with fraud and there never have been. Until there are, fraud will continue unabated.’

[see English Rights Campaign entries dated the 5 and 6 April 2005.]

The judge condemned the procedures regarding registration as ‘hopelessly insecure’. He said:

'An application for a postal vote can ask for a postal vote to be sent to an address other than that of the voter - this gives a positive assistance to fraud. Postal ballot packages are sent out by ordinary mail in clearly identifiable mail. Short of writing “STEAL ME” on the envelopes, it is hard to see what more could be done to ensure their coming into the wrong hands.’

The new proposals tighten up the rules for registration, but they still allow for one person to register for an entire household. Ann Cryer pointed out the problems that were being experienced during the election:

‘People are going to homes, demanding that the voters there give up their ballot papers. The Asian community tend to stick together. If one of their elders comes to the door and asks them to do something, they by and large do it.’

That is why individual registration should be introduced. There should be a return to the old rules regarding postal ballots. The ballot box should be the normal way of voting.

Labour cannot be allowed to continue to rig elections.