Bolton West and Atherton MP Chris Green is to introduce a Bill in the House of Commons tomorrow calling for voters to prove their identity when going to polling stations to combat electoral fraud.
The ten minute rule bill – a type of Private Members’ Bill that allows a backbench MP to make their case for a new bill – will start with a ten minute speech made by the MP in the House of Commons tomorrow (23 November, 2016).
It comes after a report by Sir Eric Pickles, the Government’s Anti-Corruption Champion, made recommendations into tackling electoral fraud, particularly after the 2015 Tower Hamlets election court judgements that saw the disqualification of the elected mayor for corrupt and illegal practices.
Chris commented: We have all heard the phrase ‘vote early and vote often’ but it appears that it is actually happening.
“The purpose of this bill is to bring the current electoral rules used in Northern Ireland to elections for the rest of the United Kingdom.
“I believe that taking ID with you when you go to vote is not a considerable barrier for a system that you can trust.”
The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Electoral Commission both recommend the use of ID in voting.
If the ten-minute rule bill is successful, the second reading will be on Friday 20 January 2017.