The fact that the Metropolitan Police have actually stated clearly that vote rigging directly affected the result of elections in Tower Hamlets is shocking, but more than that it is actually a positive step forward by the police in the investigation of such matters.
In the past it has fallen on the political parties, individuals and other groups to do the investigative work that the police have failed to do. In places like the Midlands and the North West, the police have often failed to take the issue seriously (as if vote rigging isn't a serious offence !), and were it not for the actions of certain key individuals and in some cases the deep pockets of some groups who have had to pursue private legal avenues, incidents of vote rigging would have been completely ignored.
We need to get to a situation where the police actually do more policing of elections. The police cannot simply rely on the honesty of candidates in political parties. Candidates are, after all, just ordinary people and there is a small percentage of the ordinary population who are dishonest, so surely that is the same of candidates ?
It is to be hoped that the Met Police investigation in to Tower Hamlets is a sign that nationally, the police are taking vote rigging seriously. It is not a problem nationwide, and in my years of electioneering, I cannot think of any incidents of it personally, but there are places where it is rife, and it needs stamping out before it undermines further people's trust in democracy.
3 comments:
Perhaps not the police in the first instance: but maybe the local election officials, or (to avoid any arguments about influence through the local council) the Electoral Commission, should automatically follow up on postal vote applications asking for a paper to be delivered to an address other than the voter's. Or maybe we should go back to the old restrictions on postal votes?
As for "ghost" registrations, that means people on the ground knocking on doors to double-check the register, which is what political parties ought to be doing, if they had the people on the ground....
And personation? Well, ID cards will no doubt be offered as the answer!
I agree with you.
Personally, I would prefer a systme similar to the Australian model than had compulary voting.
I can't agree with you on a break up of the UK if it meant separate mini states. If you are referring to having a more federal system as in Germany, then I could agree.
Personally, the more I see of Republics and presidents the more I like the Queen. I don't think we are less democratic because of the monarchy, anyone can become Prime Minister and it is that office which holds all the power.
Don't worry about ranting. it's good to get it out of your system.
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