Public urged to report double voting to police amid fears of election fraud

Anyone who has evidence of individuals voting twice in the general election should report it to police, Downing Street has said.

The call came after the Electoral Commission raised concerns about “troubling” claims of people casting votes in more than one location in the 8 June poll.

The elections watchdog said it had not found evidence of widespread abuse, but called on the government to consider ways of cutting the risk of abuse of voting rules.

Voters are allowed to be registered in two areas, and many students are listed on electoral rolls both at their home and university addresses.

But it is illegal to vote more than once in a general election or other national vote.

Asked whether Theresa May thought anyone caught voting twice should be prosecuted, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Yes. One-per- son-one-vote is a core principle of the democratic process in this country. It’s vital this is upheld.”

He added: “It is illegal to vote in more than one location in a general election or in other national polls, such as a referendum.”

“If anyone has evidence of an individual voting twice at the same election, they should report it to the local returning officer and to the police.”

The Electoral Commission said it had more than 1,000 emails from members of the public about double-voting.