MP Nick Brown raises election fraud fears

Jan 13 2010 by William Green, The Journal

ELECTORAL fraud fears were raised by North East Minister Nick Brown because many councils are not holding counts until the day after polls close.

In unprecedented comments, the Newcastle MP even claimed the Liberal Democrat-run city council could not be trusted with ballot boxes overnight.

Mr Brown’s claims carry extra weight because he is the Government’s chief whip – although furious council chiefs hit back at the “vile” accusations, and said votes would be kept under lock and key.

The row comes as Commons Speaker John Bercow has called for counts to take place on the night of the general election to preserve the drama and avoid delays to the naming of the next Government.

Just 330 out of 646 returning officers are planning to start counting votes when polls close at 10pm, according to research by the Electoral Commission – sparking fears the overall result could be held up until late the following night.

Newcastle and Northumberland councils will not begin counts until the morning after as speculation grows the general election will be held on May 6.

Mr Brown, MP for Newcastle East and Wallsend, said: “The reason the votes are counted immediately after the polls close is to stop people cheating.

“Leaving blank ballot papers and lists of those who haven’t voted and the ballot boxes all together in the same place overnight is not a reassuring prospect. The scope for fraud is obvious.”