Warning over fraud in postal ballot

A voting watchdog today warned of the risk of fraud when the first mass postal ballots take place in June.

The Electoral Commission issued urgent guidance to candidates, cautioning them not to handle voters' ballot papers or look over their shoulders while they fill them in.

But the watchdog admitted that its guidelines were only voluntary as it spoke of the need to "minimise the risk of fraud".

More than 12 million voters in the North and Midlands will be sent postal voting forms for the European elections on 10 June.

Labour forced through an increase in the use of postal voting against the recommendation of the Electoral Commission. Tory and Lib-Dem peers held out against the move in the Lords, but their objections were overruled by the Government.

There are fears that candidates will go from door to door as soon as postal votes are delivered, offering to help voters fill in and post back their ballot papers.

A spokesman said: "The Commission hopes that politicians and parties will use its voluntary code to help retain the real and perceived integrity of the postal voting process."