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Answering member
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Peter Viggers
Type
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Viggers, Peter (65)
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To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the likelihood of fraud in the 2009 European Parliament elections.
To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what assessment the Electoral Commission has made of the likelihood of fraud in the 2009 European Parliament elections.
Asked by
Bob Spink
(Independent (affiliation))
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
30 April 2009
For answer on
7 May 2009
Answered on
7 May 2009
The Electoral Commission informs me that it has issued detailed guidance to police and returning officers, jointly with the Association of Chief Police Officers, on assessing the risk of electoral malpractice at elections.It is the operational responsibility of returning officers and the police to assess the risk of electoral malpractice at specific elections, including the 2009 European parliamentary elections.
Subjects
Fraud; Elections; European Parliament
Date
7 May 2009
Reference
492 c326W; 273153
House
House of Commons
Occurrences of electoral malpractice are rare, but it takes only a small number for confidence in the voting system to be seriously damaged. The Electoral Commission takes the view that postal voting should be made more secure, rather than withdrawn, and it very much welcomes the commitment by the Government to introduce provisions to introduce a system of individual electoral registration in Great Britain. The commission has argued for that since 2003, and it believes that the system should be modernised and strengthened by introducing individual electoral registration.
Occurrences of electoral malpractice are rare, but it takes only a small number for confidence in the voting system to be seriously damaged. The Electoral Commission takes the view that postal voting should be made more secure, rather than withdrawn, and it very much welcomes the commitment by the Government to introduce provisions to introduce a system of individual electoral registration in Great Britain. The commission has argued for that since 2003, and it believes that the system should be modernised and strengthened by introducing individual electoral registration.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Robathan
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. I am rather disappointed, because I am sure that he is as concerned as I am, and as everyone else in the House who worries about democracy is, about the comments made a few years ago by a judge who said that our standards were those of a banana republic. In particular, will my hon. Friend raise again with the Electoral Commission and with the Government the need for individual registration, rather than household registration, which would go some way towards solving the problem of electoral fraud? In addition, will he raise the fact that postal voting on demand has been shown—this has been commented on on many occasions—to be an easy route to fraud in elections?
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
19 March 2009
Reference
489 c1051-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The hon. Lady makes a fair point. The rules are, in fact, a little complicated, and this is exactly the area in which the Electoral Commission feels a sense of commitment to make people aware of their rights.
The hon. Lady makes a fair point. The rules are, in fact, a little complicated, and this is exactly the area in which the Electoral Commission feels a sense of commitment to make people aware of their rights.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Kerry McCarthy
(Labour)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be aware that in certain community groups, there is considerable confusion as to whether people are entitled to vote, particularly because some of them are entitled to vote in local elections, but not in general elections. Is it on the commission's agenda to do more to educate people about the circumstances, particularly in relation to their immigration status, in which they are allowed to vote?
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
19 March 2009
Reference
489 c1052
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The Electoral Commission informs me that it does not expect new measures to be in place by the last possible date for the next general election.
The Electoral Commission informs me that it does not expect new measures to be in place by the last possible date for the next general election.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Robathan
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
What new measures to reduce electoral fraud the Electoral Commission expects to be in place by the next General Election.
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
19 March 2009
Reference
489 c1051
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What new measures to reduce electoral fraud the Electoral Commission expects to be in place by the next General Election.
What new measures to reduce electoral fraud the Electoral Commission expects to be in place by the next General Election.
Asked by
Lord Robathan
(Conservative)
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 March 2009
For answer on
19 March 2009
Answered on
19 March 2009
The Electoral Commission informs me that it does not expect new measures to be in place by the last possible date for the next general election.
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
19 March 2009
Reference
489 c1051; 264465
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The commission shares the court's very serious concerns about the system of voter registration in Great Britain. Since 2003, the commission has called for a reform of the system to provide security where it is needed, which is at the point of registration, and it argues that a system of individual electoral registration with personal identifiers is needed to provide a secure foundation for both registration and postal voting.
The commission shares the court's very serious concerns about the system of voter registration in Great Britain. Since 2003, the commission has called for a reform of the system to provide security where it is needed, which is at the point of registration, and it argues that a system of individual electoral registration with personal identifiers is needed to provide a secure foundation for both registration and postal voting.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Fiona Mactaggart
(Labour)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. There is a particular problem in my constituency, where a criminal case has arisen that is being dealt with in Reading court, and there has been an electoral case demonstrating that people are listed on the register who do not exist, but who have postal votes. I am profoundly concerned that when postal votes are issued, they last five years before they can be removed by the electoral registration officer, and if the person on the register does not exist, there is no way of confirming it. Will the hon. Gentleman discuss with the Electoral Commission whether there is something it can do in these circumstances to ensure that we avoid the fraudulent voting that has occurred in Slough?
Subjects
Fraud; Electoral register
Date
5 February 2009
Reference
487 c969;487 c967
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Recent legislation has given the Electoral Commission power to issue more guidance to electoral registration officers, and the commission is taking that power. The commission feels strongly that the best way ahead is through individual registration, and its call has been backed by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and, most recently, the Slough electoral petition, in which Richard Mawrey, QC, called for immediate reform of the voter registration process to remove opportunities for electoral malpractice.
Recent legislation has given the Electoral Commission power to issue more guidance to electoral registration officers, and the commission is taking that power. The commission feels strongly that the best way ahead is through individual registration, and its call has been backed by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and, most recently, the Slough electoral petition, in which Richard Mawrey, QC, called for immediate reform of the voter registration process to remove opportunities for electoral malpractice.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
David Heath
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
The hon. Gentleman knows that I agree with the Electoral Commission about the need for personal identification, but I think that the point made by the hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) about the integrity of the electoral register is extremely important. The issue is not just fraud, but one of attrition, as to whether the electoral registers are kept up to date when people die or move away, for example. What research has been done on that aspect, and what guidance can be given to electoral registration officers to ensure that they keep a fully up-to-date and accurate register, which is essential?
Subjects
Fraud; Electoral register
Date
5 February 2009
Reference
487 c970;487 c968
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Malpractice has been the subject of a study and statistics are available. The amount of malpractice is in fact comparatively small, but it takes only a small amount of malpractice to create a great deal of suspicion and concern about the system generally. The United Kingdom is one of only two countries in the world to have a system of household registration, which, as the hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) pointed out, provides an opportunity for the head of the household or anyone who interferes with the post to carry out such fraud. The other country that has a system of household registration is Zimbabwe.
Malpractice has been the subject of a study and statistics are available. The amount of malpractice is in fact comparatively small, but it takes only a small amount of malpractice to create a great deal of suspicion and concern about the system generally. The United Kingdom is one of only two countries in the world to have a system of household registration, which, as the hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) pointed out, provides an opportunity for the head of the household or anyone who interferes with the post to carry out such fraud. The other country that has a system of household registration is Zimbabwe.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Horam
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
What research has the Electoral Commission undertaken on the extent of fraudulent entries on the electoral register? I am thinking about not just the deliberate fraud that the hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) mentioned, but the overall accuracy of the electoral register throughout the UK. That seems to me to be a rather fundamental point as we approach a possible general election.
Subjects
Fraud; Electoral register
Date
5 February 2009
Reference
487 c969-70;487 c967-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The Electoral Commission informs me that where malpractice has been exposed, it discusses lessons learned in detail with the electoral registration officers. More generally, the commission issues guidance to all electoral registration officers on suggested approaches to adopt in compiling and maintaining complete and accurate registers. This guidance reflects lessons learned from instances where there has been evidence of malpractice.
The Electoral Commission informs me that where malpractice has been exposed, it discusses lessons learned in detail with the electoral registration officers. More generally, the commission issues guidance to all electoral registration officers on suggested approaches to adopt in compiling and maintaining complete and accurate registers. This guidance reflects lessons learned from instances where there has been evidence of malpractice.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Fiona Mactaggart
(Labour)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
What guidance the Electoral Commission has issued to electoral registration officers on steps they should take in constituencies where fraudulent entries on the electoral register have been revealed by prosecutions.
Subjects
Fraud; Electoral register
Date
5 February 2009
Reference
487 c969;487 c967
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What guidance the Electoral Commission has issued to electoral registration officers on steps they should take in constituencies where fraudulent entries on the electoral register have been revealed by prosecutions.
What guidance the Electoral Commission has issued to electoral registration officers on steps they should take in constituencies where fraudulent entries on the electoral register have been revealed by prosecutions.
Asked by
Fiona Mactaggart
(Labour)
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
2 February 2009
For answer on
5 February 2009
Answered on
5 February 2009
The Electoral Commission informs me that where malpractice has been exposed, it discusses lessons learned in detail with the electoral registration officers. More generally, the commission issues guidance to all electoral registration officers on suggested approaches to adopt in compiling and maintaining complete and accurate registers. This guidance reflects lessons learned from instances where there has been evidence of malpractice.
Subjects
Fraud; Electoral register
Date
5 February 2009
Reference
487 c969;487 c967; 254300
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what recent discussions the Committee has had with the Electoral Commission on its role in preventing electoral fraud.
To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what recent discussions the Committee has had with the Electoral Commission on its role in preventing electoral fraud.
Asked by
Fiona Mactaggart
(Labour)
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
20 October 2008
For answer on
23 October 2008
Answered on
23 October 2008
The Speaker's Committee meets the Electoral Commission regularly to discuss the full range of its activities, including its important work to prevent electoral fraud.The Commission informs me that it continues to issue detailed guidance and works with returning officers, electoral registration officers, political parties, the Crown Prosecution Service and the police on strategies for preventing and detecting electoral malpractice. The Commission also continues to call for the introduction of individual electoral registration.
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
23 October 2008
Reference
481 c469-70W; 229210
House
House of Commons
To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what recent estimate the Electoral Commission has made of levels of postal vote fraud.
To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what recent estimate the Electoral Commission has made of levels of postal vote fraud.
Asked by
Lord Maude of Horsham
(Conservative)
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
26 June 2008
For answer on
30 June 2008
Answered on
10 July 2008
The Electoral Commission informs me that in its view there is no reliable means of estimating levels of postal vote fraud. There are a number of offences which may encompass postal vote fraud and cases of such fraud cannot therefore be readily distinguished from other forms of electoral malpractice.The Commission works closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, together with the prosecution services, to ensure that allegations of electoral offences are recorded and monitored.The Commission informs me that in September 2008 it intends to publish an analysis of allegations reported to ACPO in relation to the May 2008 elections across England and Wales. The Commission also intends to update its analysis of Crown Prosecution Service files before the end of this year. These documents will be made available on the Commission's website at"www.electoralcommission.org.uk."
Subjects
Absent voting; Fraud
Date
10 July 2008
Reference
215493; 478 c1725W
House
House of Commons
The Electoral Commission informs me that it continues to issue detailed guidance and that it works with returning officers, electoral registration officers and the police on strategies for preventing and detecting electoral malpractice.
The Electoral Commission informs me that it continues to issue detailed guidance and that it works with returning officers, electoral registration officers and the police on strategies for preventing and detecting electoral malpractice.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Andrew Rosindell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
What steps are being taken to reduce the potential for electoral fraud and inaccurate electoral registrations.
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
8 May 2008
Reference
475 c830
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The Electoral Commission takes a balanced view on that. There are great advantages in postal voting. Its view is that the postal voting system should be improved and any possible fraud removed. Central to that is individual registration.
The Electoral Commission takes a balanced view on that. There are great advantages in postal voting. Its view is that the postal voting system should be improved and any possible fraud removed. Central to that is individual registration.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Lord Beamish
(Labour)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) that the way to increase participation at elections is to have all-postal ballots. Why has the Electoral Commission ignored its original report into electoral pilots in places such as the north-east, which resulted in a by-election in my constituency with a 67 per cent. turnout? It found that there was no great instance of fraud and that the pilots were a good way of increasing participation. Why did the commission retreat from that and possibly bow to the pressure of some of the popular press?
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
8 May 2008
Reference
475 c831
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My hon. Friend may have seen a recent report from the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust into ““Purity of Elections in the UK””. It highlighted the fact that although fraud is not widespread, the system remains vulnerable. The commission is continuing to work hard with those who run elections and with the police to detect and deter fraud, but it also continues to call for the introduction of individual voter registration to make the system more secure.
My hon. Friend may have seen a recent report from the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust into ““Purity of Elections in the UK””. It highlighted the fact that although fraud is not widespread, the system remains vulnerable. The commission is continuing to work hard with those who run elections and with the police to detect and deter fraud, but it also continues to call for the introduction of individual voter registration to make the system more secure.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Andrew Rosindell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
I thank my hon. Friend for that reply but, in the light of the recent London elections and local elections, will he tell us what investigations and reviews the Electoral Commission is carrying out to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, particularly with regards to postal voting? That is of great concern to a number of people because fraud has taken place in recent and past local elections.
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
8 May 2008
Reference
475 c830
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Indeed, and in reply to an oral question on 20 March, I spelled out the Electoral Commission's concern about the inadequacy of data. It is not possible to measure turnout accurately because there is not an accurate list of those who are entitled to vote.
Indeed, and in reply to an oral question on 20 March, I spelled out the Electoral Commission's concern about the inadequacy of data. It is not possible to measure turnout accurately because there is not an accurate list of those who are entitled to vote.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Mark Field
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
Given the inaccuracies in the electoral register, is there not a special problem that is tied in with the inaccuracy of census data? There are now rather perverse but strong incentives for local authorities to keep names on the register inaccurately in order to qualify for larger central Government grants. Will my hon. Friend ensure that that issue is dealt with as part and parcel of the reforms that are urgently needed for the integrity of our electoral system?
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
8 May 2008
Reference
475 c831
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
The hon. Lady's point is one of the reasons the Electoral Commission is very keen to press the case for individual registration and for each individual—male or female—to accept responsibility for their registration and, indeed, their democratic right to vote.
The hon. Lady's point is one of the reasons the Electoral Commission is very keen to press the case for individual registration and for each individual—male or female—to accept responsibility for their registration and, indeed, their democratic right to vote.
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Asked by
Ann Cryer
(Labour)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Oral answers to questions
Although I do not describe the practice as fraud, the widespread use of personal votes in very patriarchal communities disfranchises a lot of women because the head of the household will vote on behalf the women in his house. Are the hon. Gentleman and the commission aware of that practice, which means that I am afraid I do not agree with the proposal to extend the postal vote?
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
8 May 2008
Reference
475 c830-1
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What steps are being taken to reduce the potential for electoral fraud and inaccurate electoral registrations.
What steps are being taken to reduce the potential for electoral fraud and inaccurate electoral registrations.
Asked by
Andrew Rosindell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Tabled on
1 May 2008
For answer on
8 May 2008
Answered on
8 May 2008
The Electoral Commission informs me that it continues to issue detailed guidance and that it works with returning officers, electoral registration officers and the police on strategies for preventing and detecting electoral malpractice.
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
8 May 2008
Reference
475 c830; 204053
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission when the Electoral Commission will complete its compilation and review of information from police forces on alleged fraud in connection with elections.
To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission when the Electoral Commission will complete its compilation and review of information from police forces on alleged fraud in connection with elections.
Asked by
Richard Shepherd
(Conservative)
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
22 January 2008
For answer on
24 January 2008
Answered on
28 January 2008
The Electoral Commission informs me that it has put in place arrangements to gather and review information held by police forces in England and Wales on a continuing basis.The Commission has completed a review of information held by the Crown Prosecution Services on allegations of electoral malpractice at elections in England and Wales between 2000 and 2006. An analysis of this information is available on its website and a copy has now been placed in the Library of the House.
Subjects
Fraud; Elections
Date
28 January 2008
Reference
471 c5-6W; 182138
House
House of Commons
To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what processes are in place for liaison between the police and the Electoral Commission when dealing with serious breaches of electoral law.
To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what processes are in place for liaison between the police and the Electoral Commission when dealing with serious breaches of electoral law.
Asked by
Andrew Rosindell
(Conservative)
Answered by
Peter Viggers
(Conservative)
Answering body
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
10 December 2007
For answer on
13 December 2007
Answered on
17 December 2007
The Electoral Commission informs me that arrangements are in place with the Association of Chief Police Officers, individual police forces and prosecution authorities in regard to electoral malpractice. This includes a single point of contact on election issues in each police force in England, Wales and Scotland to deal with such matters.
Subjects
Fraud; Electoral register
Date
17 December 2007
Reference
469 c922W; 173649
House
House of Commons