Fake by-election ballot papers discovered in bin
‘MALICIOUS’ ATTEMPT TO CREATE CONFUSION REPORTED TO POLICE
FAKE ballot papers for a council byelection have been found discarded in a bin.
Rutland County Council said it was notified about the papers via a message and photograph on social media, which showed a bin full of supposed ballot papers next to All Saints Church in Oakham.
An officer from Rutland’s elections team located the 13 papers in the bin.
Voters in the Oakham South ward will go to the polls on August 17.
Liberal Democrat Paul Browne and Conservative Andy Burton will contest the seat, made vacant by the resignation of Nick Woodley at the beginning of July.
The social media image also showed an official ballot paper envelope, but the envelope’s unique reference number was removed so the council is unable to trace it back to its original property.
Phillip Horsfield, monitoring officer for Rutland County Council, said: “Based on our inspection of the papers found near All Saints Church and comparing them to a real postal ballot, we can say with absolute certainty that they are fake.
“We are appalled by what appears to be a malicious and calculated attempt to create confusion and distrust and undermine public confidence in the forthcoming Oakham South by-election.
“This is completely unacceptable. We have notified the Electoral Commission and will be handing over all evidence to a specialist unit of the police in order to investigate. “We are grateful to the individual who first reported this to us on social media.
“Thanks must also go to our Elections Team, who responded quickly to locate and inspect the papers, and confirm that they are clear and obvious fakes.”
Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton, below, said: “A report has been made to the police regarding fake ballot papers for the Oakham South by-election found in Oakham.
“Our democracy is precious and we must protect the integrity of our electoral system. “Thanks to police for investigating. I hope the guilty party is found and prosecuted.”