Police find no evidence of ‘family voting’ in Gorton and Denton by-election

Police have concluded a probe into alleged “family voting” in the Gorton and Denton by-election after finding no evidence of “any intent to influence or refrain any person” from casting a ballot.

Observer group Democracy Volunteers said it had witnessed “concerningly high levels” of the illegal practice whereby a person enters a polling booth with someone else or otherwise directs their vote.

Reform UK, whose candidate Matt Goodwin came second with 28.7% of the vote to the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer, who won with 40.7%, reported this to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

In a statement on Friday, GMP said eyewitness accounts from observers of the February by-election had suggested instances of more than one person going into a booth together, and of people looking over the shoulder of voters.

But the force said the observers did not allege “any verbal instruction or physical conduct that indicated one person was directing or coercing another regarding how to vote”.

“This is a crucial part of the legislation to prove such an offence was committed,” it said.

Police said they had asked Democracy Volunteers for descriptions of those alleged to be involved, and timings for when incidents are believed to have taken place.

These details were not documented, and officers were not provided with any identities or descriptions to pursue, meaning there is “no remaining reasonable line of inquiry”, GMP said.

The force said it had obtained CCTV from three polling stations visited by Democracy Volunteers and spoken to the presiding officer from each one, but that no evidence was found of direction or coercion.

Some 45 stations were approached for footage, and 41 said they did not have CCTV activated in the building to avoid compromising the secrecy of the vote, in line with advice given, according to GMP.

“There is no evidence to suggest any intent to influence or refrain a person from voting as stated in the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023,” the force said.

Manchester City Council’s chief executive, Tom Stannard, who was returning officer for the parliamentary contest, criticised the way complaints were made about the handling of the vote.

“We remain alive to all potential issues that could impact electoral integrity,” he said.

“Polling station staff preparing for the forthcoming local elections will again be trained on what to look out for to ensure best practice.

“But we cannot allow the inaccurate impression that there were significant issues at the Gorton and Denton by-election to stand.”

Mr Stannard added: “The headline claims were made public just minutes after the polls had closed. By contrast, it was 11 days before the observers’ specific claims were shared with us.

“If observers had concerns, they should have raised them with polling station staff immediately. It is unfortunate that did not happen in this case.”

The UK elections watchdog said it would speak with Democracy Volunteers about “the definitions they use and the training they give their observers”.

Vijay Rangarajan, chief executive of the Electoral Commission, said: “Public trust in elections is essential.

“We take allegations of fraud or about how polls are conducted very seriously, and we are grateful that Greater Manchester Police have properly investigated to establish the facts.

“Voters must be able to trust that our elections are secure and conducted with integrity.

“It is equally important that any allegations about the security and integrity of elections are supported by evidence, so voters have accurate information about how polls are conducted.”

The commission has recently updated its code of practice and guidance for electoral observers, which he said “will help accredited observers understand the standards expected of them and how to raise concerns appropriately.”

“I have written today to the Reform Party and Conservative Party to answer their letters on this issue,” he added.