New measures to combat voting fraud

12.04.57pm GMT Mon 29th Jan 2007

Tighter rules to combat electoral fraud have been announced by Richmond upon Thames Council.

Following a government rule change, all existing and new postal and proxy voters must supply their signature and date of birth as unique personal identifiers.

At the end of this month the Council's Electoral Services team will send forms to all local people who have registered to vote by these methods. They will be asked to check the information on the form is correct, sign it, give their date of birth, and return it in a freepost envelope before March 14.

In order to ensure that postal votes cannot be fraudulently submitted at all future elections, they will have to be returned with a special security statement. This will have to match the signature and date of birth originally supplied.

Proxy voters will also be required to prove their identity.

People who do not return the form before the March deadline will have to vote in person or make a new application for future elections.

Council Leader, Cllr Serge Lourie, said:

"While there has been no evidence of voting fraud in our borough, these new national measures will provide increased security and reassurance for everyone who votes by post and proxy.

"These methods of voting are becoming increasingly popular and it is vital we make sure the system isn't abused. They also have the benefit of increasing voter turnout.

"I urge anyone who has registered to vote in these ways to complete the forms and return them to the Council's Electoral Services department before March 14."

People who are unable to sign in a consistent or distinctive way due to a disability may be granted an exemption.

For more information, or to change your absent voting arrangements, please call Electoral Services on 020 8891 7775, or email electoral.services@richmond.gov.uk