Written question asked by Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Ashton of Upholland (Labour) on Monday, 6 November 2006.

Electoral Law: London Local Elections

Question: Whether the report by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Authority of 26 October, Electoral offences in London following the local elections of May 2006, will lead to any further action on their part to safeguard the integrity of the system of postal voting.

Answer: The Government have noted the commissioner’s report and will consider its contents carefully. We believe that the legislation, guidance and better joint working between police and electoral administrators, introduced in time for the May 2006 elections, worked well in both deterring fraud and helping to expose it in the small number of places where attempts were made. We are confident that the further measures in the Electoral Administration Act 2006 will ensure that the May 2007 elections are even more secure from any attempted fraud.

Secondary information