Greater Manchester Police (GMP) found no evidence of electoral fraud following reports from Democracy Volunteers during the recent by-election on February 26th. Investigations focused on allegations of voter intimidation and coercion, but police stated there were no reasonable lines of inquiry to pursue.
By-Election Fraud Allegations Investigated
GMP reported speaking with officers at all 45 polling stations, and none reported any issues other than those raised by the Democracy Volunteers.
Of those 45 polling stations, 41 did not have CCTV activated, a decision made in accordance with official advice to protect the secrecy of the vote.
Review of available CCTV footage revealed no evidence of anyone directing or forcing another person on how to vote.
The Democracy Volunteers’ eyewitness accounts included instances of more than one voter entering a booth simultaneously and individuals looking over the shoulders of voters. These instances were estimated to have occurred on 32 occasions across 15 polling stations.
However, the volunteers were unable to provide detailed descriptions of those allegedly involved, nor specific timings, and no details were documented by official observers.
Police confirmed the volunteers did not allege any verbal instruction or physical conduct indicating coercion or direction of voting.
“The absence of this information means there is no remaining reasonable line of enquiry,” police stated.
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