Jail terms potentially await husbands who tell their wives how to vote on May 7, the elections watchdog has warned.
The Electoral Commission spoke out about the ‘serious crime‘ ahead of the local elections following reports of coercion in the recent Gorton and Denton by-election.
Director of communications Niki Nixon, told the Daily Telegraph: ‘No matter how you vote, your vote is yours alone.
‘Your right to vote independently, privately, and free from undue pressure is protected in law.
‘Anyone who tried to induce or compel someone to vote in a particular way, or not to vote at all, is committing a serious crime that can result in a prison sentence.’
Reported cases were low but ‘we must not be complacent’, she added.
The warning follows the Green Party’s win in former Labour stronghold Gorton and Denton on February 26, narrowly beating Reform.
Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer with party leader Zack Polanski after winning the Gorton and Denton by-election, that was hit by claims of illegal ‘family voting’
Election observer group Democracy Volunteers, which is accredited by the Electoral Commission, reported ‘concerningly high levels’ of the illegal practice of family voting.
This is where two people use one polling booth and potentially direct each other on who to support.
Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation but shelved it last month saying it had found no evidence of ‘intent to influence or deter any person from casting a ballot’.
The decision prompted Nigel Farage, who had warned about the ‘integrity of the democratic process in predominantly Muslim areas, to brand it an ‘establishment whitewash’.
The Reform UK leader claimed the illegal interventions had robbed his party of victory.
He said at the time: ‘This isn’t good enough. We need proper oversight, real accountability and the courage to admit when something isn’t right – not another brushed-under-the-carpet report from the usual suspects.’
This year’s local elections will take place in 134 local authorities across England – with Labour expected to face a drubbing.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed his party was robbed of victory and branded Greater Manchester Police’s decision that
The Conservatives are also under pressure, while the Greens are predicted to gain hundreds of wards and Reform are in line to gain more than 2,000.
Mark Hallas, the chief executive of Crimestoppers, said trust in the electoral process also affected how the UK is perceived abroad.
‘Our country has a history of holding elections that are internationally trusted and seen to be fair. This is a tradition we can all play a part in protecting,’ he said.
‘It’s vital that anyone with suspicions of voter fraud speaks up, either to the police or completely anonymously to Crimestoppers.’
Voters will be allowed to cast their ballots at shopping centres rather than polling stations under Labour’s latest relaxation of electoral law.
In a pilot project to take place at May’s council elections, residents of Milton Keynes will be able to vote at the city’s ‘centre:mk’ mall.
The Government said the concept of a ‘voting hub’ could be copied eventually ‘across the country in future elections along high streets and in town centres’.