27.04.11
Rochdale Council in postal vote fraud concerns
There have been complaints from six wards in Rochdale where residents say they have been doorstepped by groups apparently from the main political parties urging them to hand in signed yet uncompleted postal votes.
Candidates standing in the upcoming local elections were summoned by the chief executive of Rochdale Council, Roger Ellis and chief superintendent John O’Hare, divisional commander of Rochdale Police to discuss the allegations. The complaints related to all political parties involved and rules and regulations were also reiterated during the meeting.
Councillor Niam Mahmud, of the Kingsway ward, told Rochdale Online that voters there had been “intimidated” and “scared” by people coming to 'collect' their postal votes.
David Clayton, also a Kingsway councillor, called for the publication of a postal voting list to be scrapped. He said: “The council legally needs to get out of releasing a list of who has voted and where. There is no point.” He argued that the list “encourages political parities” to seek the votes of those who haven’t yet voted.
Colin Lambert, leader of the Labour-run council added: “We need people to be brave and we need now to bring this practice to an end."
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