How every Greater Manchester council intends to tackle ‘family voting’ in the upcoming May elections

The issue of election voting integrity has seen much scrutiny over the past week after observers raised ‘major concerns’ about family voting in last week’s Gorton and Denton by-election.

Family voting – where two or more voters either confer or collude to direct each other on voting – was made a criminal offence by the 2023 Ballot Secrecy Act.

Greater Manchester Police are investigating after the election observer group Democracy Volunteers claimed to have witnessed the illegal practice in
68 per cent of 22 polling stations monitored during the poll on Thursday, February 26.

In a statement released after polls closed Democracy Volunteers, which had four volunteers working at the by-election, said: “We have seen concerningly
high levels of family voting in Gorton and Denton. “Based on our assessment of today’s observations, we have seen the highest levels of family voting at any election in our 10-year history of observing elections in the UK.”

In response Manchester council, which oversaw the by-election, criticised the group for not raising concerns with them earlier, adding that no issues
were reported from polling stations on the day.

On Thursday, May 7, voters will go to the polls in all ten Greater Manchester boroughs to elect councillors.

In the lead up to those elections GMP were asked if they would be changing their policing of polling stations.

A spokesman said: “We will not be changing the way we police the elections.
“It will be the same as we policed at the by election as it was effective and within electoral guidelines.”

In the wake of the report issued following the Gorton & Denton by election by Democracy Volunteers observers each Greater Manchester borough
was asked the same question.

In light of the report, what measures, if any, will you be putting in place at polling stations on May 7 to prevent or discourage issues of family voting, more that one person in a polling booth and photographing ballot papers?

A Tameside Council Spokesperson said: ‘’Our polling station staff are trained to ensure voters are able to cast their vote independently, in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere.

‘’We always adhere to Electoral Commission guidance and legal requirements. Notices informing electors of the regulations are posted within the polling station, with area inspectors checking and monitoring stations throughout the day. This particular issue will be highlighted during staff training and, as always, appropriate measures will be taken if they witness any attempts to breach voting regulations.’’